DCMS Museums and Galleries Sector Coronavirus bulletin update 4 April
(last regular DCMS bulletin, further bulletins will only be sent if there are significant updates to report)
NEW Government sets out next steps for living with COVID: 29/03
NEW Covid 19 update: written ministerial statement: 29/03
NEW New guidance sets out how to live safely with COVID-19: 01/04
- New guidance outlines free COVID-19 tests will continue to be available to help protect specific groups now that free testing for the general public has ended.
- Plans in place to enable rapid testing response should a new health threat emerge, such as a new variant of concern emerge.
- The government has removed the current guidance on voluntary COVID-status certification in domestic settings and no longer recommends certain venues use the NHS COVID Pass.
- The government has removed the health and safety requirement for every employer to explicitly consider COVID-19 in their risk assessments.
- The Coronavirus Statutory Sick Pay Rebate Scheme has now closed. The last date for submitting or amending a claim was 24 March 2022.
NEW Living safely with respiratory infections, including COVID-19: 01/04
- Guidance for living safely with respiratory infections, including coronavirus (COVID-19).
NEW Reducing the spread of respiratory infections, inc. COVID-19, in the workplace: 01/04
- Public health principles for reducing the spread of respiratory infections in the workplace.
Read the 4 April bulletin in full
Recent bulletins:
Reopening museums
National guidance on reopening museums post-lockdown is available. Visit our dedicated web page here
Business Support
Business Support website
The UK Government is supporting businesses and their employees through a package of measures during this period of unprecedented disruption. The Business Support website helps businesses find the right support, advice and information to help with the impact of Coronavirus (COVID-19).
Organisations can register to receive free rapid lateral flow tests for their employees and volunteers who cannot work from home. Details can be found on gov.uk.
Acas
The Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service (Acas) Coronavirus advice for employers and employees is updated regularly and can be viewed here.
Specifically the latest advice on staying safe at work, testing the staff for coronavirus and getting the vaccine can be found here.
Sector Information and Support
Arts Council England (ACE)
The latest advice, guidance and emergency funding measures the Arts Council, government and several external organisations have put in place to address the Covid-19/coronavirus crisis can be found here
Association of Independent Museums (Aim)
Aim has a web page which covers a range of advice and guidance and is regularly updated. Visit the web page here
They also have a range of support exclusively for AIM members which includes:
- Aim Hallmarks at Home
- ‘The HR Dept’ HR helpline for members, plus advice for staff
- Online Advice Surgeries
If you are an independent museum and Aim member we strongly encourage you to access the support available.
Heritage Volunteering Group
Heritage Volunteering Group has worked with DCMS to produce guidance on Covid Secure Volunteering which has now been published. Read it here.
It has already received confirmation that organisations applying to receive rapid lateral flow tests for their workforce can include volunteers as well as employees in the headcount criteria.
Museums Association
National Archives
The National Archives has issued guidance for archive services which can be found here.
NCVO
The National Council for Voluntary Organisations (NCVO) has produced a summary page of advice and guidance on its web pages and can be found here
They have also made their member-only resources free to everyone because of the current situation and can be accessed here
Amongst these resources you can find further information and support on Risk Management including Zurich’s full guidance on pandemic planning, along with a checklist that can be used to plan for a pandemic and minimise its impact. Read more here
Key coronavirus legal issues for charities explained – a recent webinar with the experts from Bates Wells solicitors providing advice on contracts, finances and the new furlough scheme. You can watch on demand here.
Data Protection and Coronavirus – If your staff are working remotely, you may need to create new procedures and consider how extra care may be taken to secure information. Hope & May has put together some guidance for organisations and can be read in full here
Roots HR
Roots HR Community Interest Company is the UK’s specialist consultancy for human resources and health and safety services for social sector. They provide 1 hour FREE Human Resources consultancy services to leaders and managers working in social sector. View their voucher and contact details here
Their consultants have put together some simple and free tools to support employers with home working which include:
- a form of words for formalising the change in contractual terms with your employees
- a Display Screen Checklist for employees
Key Information Sources
- Coronavirus (COVID-19): UK government response – Sign up for email alerts
- COVID-19: guidance for employers and businesses
- Public Health England
- NHS guidance
- FCO Travel advice
- Government Action Plan
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