Places of worship
Places of worship play an important role in providing spiritual leadership for many individuals, and in bringing communities together. However, their communal nature makes them places that are particularly vulnerable to the spread of COVID-19. Below is a link to the guidance available to help places of worship minimise the risk of COVID-19.
https://www.nidirect.gov.uk/articles/coronavirus-covid-19-places-worship
Please visit https://www.nidirect.gov.uk/articles/coronavirus-covid-19-regulations-guidance-what-restrictions-mean-you#toc-18 for current restrictions on funerals.
The fight against Covid-19 is not over! Below is a list of helpful links filled with information to help you, your staff, clients and parishioners which have been provided by the Public Health Agency.
NI Direct resources
- General: https://www.nidirect.gov.uk/campaigns/coronavirus-covid-19
- Restrictions: https://www.nidirect.gov.uk/articles/coronavirus-covid-19-regulations-guidance-what-restrictions-mean-you
- Financial help and practical support: https://www.nidirect.gov.uk/information-and-services/coronavirus-covid-19/financial-help-and-practical-support
- Taking care of your mental health and wellbeing: https://www.nidirect.gov.uk/articles/coronavirus-covid-19-taking-care-your-mental-health-and-wellbeing
PHA resources and materials
- Main COVID-19 page: https://www.publichealth.hscni.net/covid-19-coronavirus
- Information for the public on COVID-19: https://www.publichealth.hscni.net/covid-19-coronavirus/covid-19-information-public
Bereavement
- COVID-19 bereavement resources: https://www.publichealth.hscni.net/publications/covid-19-bereavement-resources
- Death and grieving in a care home during the COVID-19 pandemic: a guide to supporting staff, residents and their families: https://www.publichealth.hscni.net/publications/death-and-grieving-care-home-during-covid-19-pandemic-guide-supporting-staff-residents
Car sharing
- Car sharing: https://www.publichealth.hscni.net/publications/advice-car-sharing-english-and-translations
Household isolation
- How to reduce spread within your home: https://www.publichealth.hscni.net/publications/covid-19-how-reduce-spread-within-your-home
- Isolate your household: https://www.publichealth.hscni.net/publications/isolate-your-household-campaign-poster-and-translations
Mental health
- Keeping well at home booklet: https://www.publichealth.hscni.net/publications/keeping-well-home-booklet
- ‘Take 5’ steps to look after mental health during the pandemic: https://www.publichealth.hscni.net/publications/take-5-steps-wellbeing-looking-after-your-mental-health-during-coronavirus-covid-19
Social distancing, hand hygiene and respiratory hygiene
- Stay safe, save lives: https://www.publichealth.hscni.net/publications/covid-19-coronavirus-stay-safe-save-lives-poster
- Catch it, bin it, kill it: https://www.publichealth.hscni.net/publications/catch-it-bin-it-kill-it-poster
- Distance awareness: https://www.publichealth.hscni.net/covid-19-coronavirus/covid-19-information-public/distance-aware-campaign-resources
- Keep your distance: https://www.nidirect.gov.uk/sites/default/files/publications/Coronavirus-distance-poster-public.pdf
- Social distancing: https://www.publichealth.hscni.net/publications/social-distancing-poster
- Hand washing: https://www.publichealth.hscni.net/publications/coronavirus-wash-your-hands-poster
- Even if you’ve been vaccinated: https://www.publichealth.hscni.net/sites/default/files/2021-02/twitter%20vaccine%203.png
Test and Trace
- Digital self-trace easy explainer: https://www.publichealth.hscni.net/publications/digital-self-trace-easy-explainer
- Test and trace step by step guide: https://www.publichealth.hscni.net/publications/test-trace-protect-step-step-guide-and-translations
Translation
- How to translate information on the PHA website using Browsealoud: Publications | HSC Public Health Agency (hscni.net)
Travel
- Travel into NI: https://www.publichealth.hscni.net/publications/travelling-and-staying-northern-ireland
Vaccination:
- COVID-19 Vaccine FAQS: https://www.publichealth.hscni.net/covid-19-coronavirus/northern-ireland-covid-19-vaccination-programme/covid-19-vaccination-programme – Note in particular:
- 23. Can I still spread the virus to others if I am vaccinated? https://www.publichealth.hscni.net/covid-19-coronavirus/northern-ireland-covid-19-vaccination-programme/covid-19-vaccination-programme#can-i-still-spread-the-virus-to-others-if-i-am-vaccinated and https://www.publichealth.hscni.net/sites/default/files/2021-02/twitter%20vaccine%203.png
- 42. Do they have any ingredients which are unsuitable for religious groups? https://www.publichealth.hscni.net/covid-19-coronavirus/northern-ireland-covid-19-vaccination-programme/covid-19-vaccination-programme#do-they-have-any-ingredients-which-are-unsuitable-for-religious-groups
- COVID-19 vaccine materials: https://www.publichealth.hscni.net/covid-19-coronavirus/northern-ireland-covid-19-vaccination-programme/covid-19-vaccination-0
- Key facts on vaccines infographics – each link has a different ‘fact’ the two I thought might be most relevant to faith leaders/congregations are:
- https://www.publichealth.hscni.net/sites/default/files/2021-02/twitter%20vaccine%203.png – even if you’ve had the COVID-19 vaccine you still need to remember – hand hygiene, face coverings, social distancing
- https://www.publichealth.hscni.net/sites/default/files/2020-12/KFOV%203%20landscape.png – vaccines help protect other in your community
- Others include:
- https://www.publichealth.hscni.net/sites/default/files/2020-12/KFOV%202%20landscape.png – what vaccines do
- https://www.publichealth.hscni.net/sites/default/files/2020-12/KFOV%205%20Twitter.png – how vaccines work
- https://www.publichealth.hscni.net/sites/default/files/2020-12/KFOV6%20rectangle.png – safety and testing of vaccines
- https://www.publichealth.hscni.net/sites/default/files/2020-12/KFOV%207%20rectangle.png – monitoring of vaccines
- https://www.publichealth.hscni.net/sites/default/files/2021-01/twitter%201.png – can I catch COVID from the vaccines?
- https://www.publichealth.hscni.net/sites/default/files/2021-01/Vaccine%20tweets%202.png – why do I have to wait?
- https://www.publichealth.hscni.net/sites/default/files/2021-02/Breastfeeding%20tw%201.png – COVID vaccine and breastfeeding
- https://www.publichealth.hscni.net/sites/default/files/2021-02/Vaccine%20twitter%202.png – COVID vaccine and pregnancy
- https://www.publichealth.hscni.net/sites/default/files/2021-02/Vaccine%20tweets%20%283%29.png – advice for woman of childbearing age
