The Government has updated the guidance for arranging or attending a funeral or commemorative event during the COVID-19 outbreak to reflect the new updates to step three regulations announced by the Prime Minister on 14 June.

From 21 June, the rules on funerals and commemorative events, such as stone setting ceremonies, the scattering of ashes or a wake, will change. There will no longer be a maximum number of attendees set out in law for funerals or commemorative events. Instead, the number of attendees will be determined by how many people the venue or outdoor space can safely accommodate with social distancing measures in place. This will be based on the COVID-19 risk assessment of the venue or outdoor space, and the measures put in place to limit the spread of COVID-19.

MHCLG has updated the guidance for people planning to get married or form a civil partnership in England to reflect updates to step three regulations announced by the Prime Minister on 14 June.

From 21 June, there will no longer be a maximum number cap for attendees to attend weddings, receptions and commemorative events.

The number of people able to attend such events will be determined by the number that can be safely accommodated in the venue with social distancing in place.

The Government has announced that people working in Care Quality Commission (CQC)-registered care homes will need to be fully COVID-19 vaccinated with two doses of a COVID-19 vaccine unless they have a medical exemption from October – subject to Parliamentary approval and a subsequent 16-week grace period.

It will apply to all workers employed directly by the care home or care home provider (on a full-time or part-time basis), those employed by an agency and deployed by the care home, and volunteers deployed in the care home. Those coming into care homes to do other work, for example healthcare workers, tradespeople, hairdressers and beauticians, and CQC inspectors will also have to follow the new regulations.

On 14 June, the Government announced that care home residents will be able to spend more time with family and friends, including overnight stays away from care homes.

Currently residents can only leave the care home for a visit if it is outdoors or for high-priority reasons, but will now be able to leave the care home for more social reasons without having to isolate upon return.

From 21 June, people admitted to a care home from the community will no longer have to self-isolate for 14 days on arrival, so residents will have a less disruptive introduction to their new home. To ensure this happens safely, residents will undergo an enhanced testing regime, a Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) test before admission, a PCR test on the day of admission and a further PCR test 7 days later.

Additionally, care home residents can now nominate an ‘Essential Care Giver’ to provide additional support during visits. They have access to the same PPE and testing supply as care home workers and should be allowed to continue to visit during periods of isolation or where there is an outbreak.

The Department for Education (DfE) has updated the protective measures guidance for providers of community activities, holiday or after-school clubs, tuition and other out-of-school settings.

The guidance sets out protective measures to support providers with opening their premises safely, including schools or colleges outside of school hours, village halls and community centres.

The Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, Rt Hon Robert Jenrick MP, announced that the existing measures to protect commercial tenants from eviction will be extended to 25 March 2022. This will ensure that the sectors which are unable to open have enough time to come to an agreement with their landlord without the threat of eviction.

The Government also announced that it has extended temporary insolvency measures to support businesses during the COVID-19 outbreak.

Regulations are set to be laid that will mean restrictions on statutory demands and winding up petitions will remain for a further three months until 30 September to protect companies from creditor enforcement action where their debts relate to the COVID-19 outbreak.

Everyone is reminded to follow the NHS advice – wash your hands; wear a face covering; keep social distancing and, as we will be spending more time indoors, let fresh air into your home to ventilate it.

Don’t forget a lot of useful content is available via our website and this will be updated regularly, so www.rochford.gov.uk is the best place to check first and we have a dedicated section at www.rochford.gov.uk/coronavirus. Our other media channels are also good sources of information – www.rochford.gov.uk/tellmemore, Facebook: Rochford District Council, Instagram: @RochfordDC and Twitter: @RochfordDC

We would like to reassure everyone that we are working closely with our partners from across Essex in the NHS, emergency services, county council and other local authorities, ensuring that well-practiced plans are put into place.