(founded 1995, reformed 2016)

Covid protocols for indoor meetings

Note - Social distancing was discontinued in April 2024

Staying safe at meetings during the Covid Pandemic

We know that the Covid-19 virus spreads through the exchange of bodily fluids including droplets from our breath, so we are asking members to observe these precautions at our meetings for the protection of others.

General Safety – always follow the safety instructions of our host.

 Attendance 

• We are restricting the number of people attending the meetings – please only attend if you have booked and received a confirmation of your booking
• We are keeping your contact details for three weeks for “track and trace” purposes.
• If you have been ill within the week before the meeting please do not attend the meeting and cancel your booking. Also, please do not attend if someone in your household has a Covid-like illness.
• Please do not attend if you or someone in your household is waiting for the results of a Covid test
• When you arrive please also sign in and if you have the App on your mobile telephone scan the QR code.
• If you fall ill or test positive for Covid-19 please inform the organiser immediately; the organiser will then contact the other people who attended the meeting.

 Protective clothing – please bring a facemask and some hand sanitiser with you. 

• You must wear a facemask when you arrive and all times. You may only remove it when socially distanced in the meditation room if you think it is safe to do so.
• Arrival – Please sanitise your hands on arrival and when you touch surfaces. Your temperature will be tested. Please scan the QR code if you are using the NHS App.

 Distancing –

• Please keep two metres apart at all times
• We will sit and meditate in a circle two metres apart
• Follow all the instruction notices in the building.
• Please resist the urge to shake hands or hug each other – socially distanced bowing is a good Buddhist practice!
• We will arrange the chairs in the meditation room in a circle, two metres apart. You can sit closer together if you are from the same household.

 Surfaces –

• Please use the same chair throughout the meeting
• please do not move the chairs without permission
• Please do not share books or scriptures
• At the end of the meeting please wipe clean any surfaces you have touched, particularly your chair.
• Follow the instructions from the warden about rearranging the furniture in the room
• Please leave a cash donation towards the cost of the room hire. The cash will be quarantined after the meeting for three days.

 Refreshments –

• Do not use the kitchen or the cutlery and crockery
• Please bring your own drinks – cold drink or a hot drink in a Thermos and your own cup.
• Please bring your own snacks – we will not be sharing biscuits or other food.