Picnic in the Garden with 4/6 Friends 

For Socially Distanced Fellowship & Friendship. 

Wednesday 26th August 2020 

We are looking for hosts and guests to enjoy a picnic in the garden.  Hosts provide the garden and open the side gate preferably to access, guests bring the chairs, their picnic food and drinks and hand sanitizer. 

Hosts may invite and add guests or guests can book themselves in with a phone call.

Each picnic is an opportunity to meet up with shielding Club members safely, in line with NHS and Government guidance.

Garden Party for Polio

Social Distancing Requirements

Introduction

The objective is to run some social and potentially fund raising. mini’ events over the later part of summer. With a range of members who will have different concerns about any social interaction including some who will be particularly vulnerable and shielding themselves form any risk.

As government advice loosens over time some individuals will not want to see their level pf protection reducing as a matter of choice and we need to recognise that.

The notes therefore are intended to ensure that everyone who attends one of these events does so feeling that they will know what precautions are being taken and are happy with them.

Of course, we will understand and respect any individual who decides that the arrangements offered are not strong enough – although always ask the host if there is an easy way to resolve the concern.

Everyone Feeling Safe and Keeping Safe

Perhaps what the hosts and guests need to avoid is the possibility that some members of the group have a more flexible approach to the restrictions than others – we have probably all seen this when about and about.

Achieving Government Guidelines (Our Minimum Requirement)

The Guidelines

(Details in appendix below from gov.uk on 20/07/2020 and likely to change over time)

·         Maximum of 6 people in the event

·         Socially distance from people you do not live with or who are not in your support bubble

·         Take particular care to maintain excellent hygiene – washing hands and surfaces – when using shared facilities like bathrooms.

This may raise some challenges in some case – some examples could be:

-          The host has other household members who are not part of the group of 6 attending (Children, Grandchildren could be the obvious examples) – the natural flow would in normal times for them to say hello and perhaps even join in to some extent.

-          Poor weather – is there an outdoor shelter available (Gazebo or similar open on 3 sides) where 2M distancing can be maintained

What Hosts Need to Do (and their Guest support)

-          Hand sanitiser available on arrival for all guests

-          Thoughtful layout of seating – Minimum 2M between different households (those from same household can sit near each other)

-          Seating should ideally be bought by guests or will require your own furniture to be sanitised before and after the event.

-          Guests should not move around using different chairs and other furniture (a couple in the same household can exchange positions)

-          Paper hand towels in the bathroom (or a supply of small freshly laundered hand towels)

-          Suitable cleaning materials for guests to wipe down after use (disposable bathroom wipes may be the easiest solution)

-          Ideally disposable items could be used (freshly removed from packaging and bagged in sets) or guests bring their own.

-          Alternatively, all utensils, crockery and glasses should be freshly washed (they may have been in a cupboard accessed by multiple people). An added reassurance may be that after removal from dishwasher they are bagged in sets for guests)

-          Food – will this be taken to the event by the guests for their own consumption or provided by the host?

-          Food is not considered a problem in government advice, but containers crockery and utensils are!

-          (Guest bringing food for sharing may not be against the government advice)

-          If it is to be provided by the host then the following needs to be thought about:-

o   Should this be entirely bought in – such as a cream tea in a box?

o   If prepared ensure special attention to sanitation and risks

o   Ideally use disposable containers and serving dishes or ensure freshly washed – ideally through a dishwasher.

o   Avoid Self Service buffet style approach

§  Pre made up plates (covered)

§  Hosts serves guests

§  Consider wearing a mask when serving)

o   BBQ is probably OK as all food is hot but will need to be served by the cook to the plate keeping 2M

-          Should any one way systems be in place? (bathroom, collecting drinks etc)

-          After the event the host should sanitise all furniture used and any other surfaces and contact points that may have been touched.

Clarity and Confidence – Additional Requirements

If a member of the group asks for, and the host agrees to some additional measures, then this needs to be communicated to all to avoid an issue during the event.

For more details and Government Advice click here