Basildon Council is working to reopen community facilities in line with current government safety guidance in relation to Covid-19.
Since the easing of lockdown it has been possible to allow the partial reopening of many community facilities including those used by hirers to operate pre-schools. The council is seeking to open up to allow additional more sedate activity in line with the government guidance when the early years groups return this month.
The council understands that community run facilities are doing likewise. This is a decision for their trustees but the council continues to offer advice and support.
Chairman of the Neighbourhoods and Public Spaces Committee Councillor David Harrison said: “As a community leader we are following the government guidance and have shared this and other government guidance and legislation with the community association-run facilities in the borough too to support their committee’s decision making.
“We want to see a return to all activities in our community halls but until further government guidance is issued we must put the safety of our hirers and those using these facilities first by continuing to limit what they are used for in line with government guidance and only reopen where and when it is safe to do so.”
Access for other hirers has been more difficult. Much of what the centres are hired for are for physical activity sessions such as karate, keep fit or dance and none of the council’s directly managed facilities meet the government guidance on mechanical air ventilation systems. Unfortunately until this guidance changes, this will remain the case.
Indoor activities that don’t involve strenuous exercise can now go ahead providing 2m social distancing is followed and doors and windows are kept open.
Sports and arts that have increased breathing must only recommence in line with the awarding bodies guidance and the relevant government guidance. This includes the requirement for mechanical ventilation at a site to flush out used air (and potentially contaminated air) and the spacial requirement of 100ftsq per person e.g. 3 metre by 3metre space per person.
