We are pleased to announce that the latest public health document released yesterday allows our physical groups to continue to run under current restrictions as laid out in: The Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions) (England) (No. 4) Regulations 2020 - Part 3, Restrictions of Gatherings, under the heading Exceptions in relation to gatherings (outlined and highlighted below).
Exceptions in relation to gatherings 11.—(1) These are the exceptions referred to in regulations 8, 9 and 10. Exception 1: same or linked households (2) Exception 1 is that all the people in the gathering— (a) are members of the same household, or (b) are members of two households which are linked households in relation to each other (see regulation 12).
Exception 2: gatherings necessary for certain purposes
(3) Exception 2 is that the gathering is reasonably necessary—
(a) for work purposes or for the provision of voluntary or charitable services;
(b) for the purposes of education or training;
(c) to provide emergency assistance;
(d) to enable one or more persons in the gathering to avoid injury or illness or to escape a risk
of harm;
(e) to provide care or assistance to a vulnerable person, including relevant personal care
within the meaning of paragraph 7(3B) of Schedule 4 to the Safeguarding Vulnerable
Groups Act 2006(a);
(f) to facilitate a house move.
Exception 3: legal obligations and proceedings (4) Exception 3 is that the person concerned is fulfilling a legal obligation or participating in legal proceedings.
Exception 4: criminal justice accommodation
(5) Exception 4 is that the gathering takes place in criminal justice accommodation.
Exception 5: support groups
(6) Exception 5 is that—
(a) the gathering—
(i) is of a support group,
(ii) consists of no more than 15 persons, and
(iii) takes place at premises other than a private dwelling, and
(b) it is reasonably necessary for members of the group to be physically present at the
gathering.
(7) In determining whether the limit in paragraph (6)(a)(ii) is complied with, no account is to be
taken of any child who is below the age of five.
(8) For the purposes of paragraph (6), “support group” means a group or one to one support
which is organised by a business, a charitable, benevolent or philanthropic institution or a public
body to provide mutual aid, therapy or any other form of support to its members or those who
attend its meetings, for example those providing support—
(a) to victims of crime (including domestic abuse);
(b) to those with, or recovering from, addictions (including alcohol, narcotics or other
substance addictions) or addictive patterns of behaviour;
(c) to new parents;
(d) to those with, or caring for persons with, any long-term illness or terminal condition or
who are vulnerable;
(e) to those facing issues related to their sexuality or identity including those living as
lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender;
(f) to those who have suffered bereavement;
(g) to vulnerable young people.
If you have any queries please do not hesitate to contact us.