Restart of Face to Face Befriending Visits from 1st August 2020
The Scottish Government has confirmed that individuals can stop shielding from 1st August. This is because the rate of coronavirus (COVID-19) in Scotland is currently very low. Hopefully, this will remain the case and further lockdowns will not occur for us, but we will need to be mindful of possible local changes in this relaxation.
So, from the 1st of August Kincardine and Deeside befrienders and befriendees will be able to meet up again face to face, following social distancing guidelines and hand hygiene, cough etiquette guidelines which are highlighted below.
We recognise that the transition from lockdown will be very different for each match and face to face visits should only start again where both befriendee and befriender are comfortable to do so. Some matches may choose to only meet outside in the garden for now, and some may choose to continue with telephone calls meantime rather than inside visits and that is fine. Please contact your coordinator to discuss any concerns you may have.
Older people are at more risk of harm from the virus should they encounter it. So general advice on how to stay safe should be followed diligently.
- If any befriendee or befriender has coronavirus symptoms (new continuous cough, fever, or loss of, or change in, sense of smell or taste (anosmia) they should not physically meet up.
- If either befriendee or befriender has been advised to self-isolate they should not meet up.
To stay safe, you should still follow the advice given to the rest of the public in Scotland. This is to:
- keep 2 metres (3 steps) away from people you do not live with. This means that travel together in a car for befriender and befriendee is not yet possible
- regularly wash your hands for at least 20 seconds. You should wash your hands before your visit and again afterwards. Where this is not possible please use hand sanitiser
- avoid touching surfaces that others have touched
- avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands
- cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze, throw the tissue in a bin and wash your hands
Further advice on how to keep each other safe and implement safe social distancing during visits can be accessed at NHS Inform
