General Advice


Click here to download an information sheet from the NHS with the latest advice regarding the booster campaign and vaccinations.


Click here to visit the Bishops of England and Wales website to read their information and advice regarding vaccinations.


Click here for latest advice from the Bishops of England and Wales

"Contact and Trace" at St Joseph's - Notification Advice

Since the beginning of the pandemic Leicester City has been an area with high virus infections rates, the consequence being we were the longest city in lockdown in the UK through 2020-21. At St Joseph's, as those who use any of our parish facilities will witness, we continue with our high level of safety precautions - even though some indoor venues have relaxed their precautions. We have started lifting our precautions in stages and these will be confirmed each week in the parish newsletter.


Update 1st May 2022: We continue with our mask-wearing and hand sanitisation but areas of the church are now being gradually opened up to non-social distanced seating. An area will continue to be social distanced for the unforeseeable future and anyone who feels vulnerable is to ask the stewards on arrival and they will be led to this area.


Update for all services over Easter 2022: We shall continue to ask people who come to our church over the Easter period to wear masks and sanitise hands as well as observe the one-way system.


Update 28th February 2022:  New guidance was received from the Bishop this week and we are slowly incorporating this as we continue working back to full normality (see the above link).  Father John's covering newsletter is in the parish newsletter of 6th March 2022


Update 12th February 2022 : Even though some churches have dispensed with their precautions from this week (following the recent Government announcement) here at St Joseph's we shall continue our vigilance acknowledging that we do not want to deter those who feel vulnerable from coming to the church.  Our intention is to phase slowly our phase out our precautionary measures and the details will be updated below and in the newsletter as and when they are to be released.


OUR PARISH PHASED LIFTING OF PRECAUTIONS

AT PRESENT WE SHALL CONTINUE TO ASK PEOPLE TO KEEP WEARING MASKS - THIS IS STILL A MOST SENSIBLE PRECAUTION


  1. Weekend of 12th/13th February.  We shall cease taking names and contact details, but stewards will continue to welcome people and guide them to appropriate seating - this is to make sure we make allowance for those who still want to social distance, whilst ensuring we can take maximum capacity in the church.
  2. Weekend of 19th/20trh February. We shall stop taking contact details at the door, but stewards will still be there to welcome and guide people to seats. We are aware that there are still many who come who will feel, and be, vulnerable: by guiding everyone to seats the stewards can ensure maximum use of seating - whilst helping to safely position those who may be concerned and who ask for a safe seat.
  3. Weekend of 26th/27th February. (1) We were informed by the NHS this week that their contact and trace via the QR code system (used by those with smart phones) is no longer active. (2) The Blessed Sacrament Chapel will be open for prayer during the day.
  4. Weekend of 5th/6th March.  Benches are now divided into social distancing and non-social distancing but people will still be guided to seats.



ALERT THREE : COVID "CONTACT AND TRACE2 ALERT FOR ALL WHO VISITED St JOSEPH'S FOR MASS ON TUESDAY 25th JANUARY 2022 (11.30 am - 12.15 pm)


One of our stewards at this mass contacted us to say that that on Friday 28th January they had received a positive lateral flow test and had arranged to go for a PCR test.  The PCR was positive, but it was decided not to contact everyone who was at mass on Tuesday 25th January as we could not be sure the steward would have been contagious on Tuesday and did not want to cause unnecessary panic. The steward was not displaying on symptoms on the Tuesday and had followed all our precautions which should have been enough protection if contagious. We advise those in attendance to be vigilant and if they have any concerns contact us for more detail. If they feel at all unwell follow the current Government advice (see links below).


ALERT TWO : COVID "CONTACT AND TRACE" ALERT FOR ALL WHO VISITED St JOSEPH'S FOR MASS ON SUNDAY 7th NOVEMBER 2021 (12 noon - 2.30 pm)


Two people at St Joseph's for mass on Sunday 7th November have contacted us today (10/11/2021) to say that they have tested positive for Covid-19. Although they were not displaying any symptoms on Sunday we have to notify everyone who was in St Joseph's church on Sunday 7th November between 12 noon and 2.30 pm that they may have been exposed to the infection.


We are as vigilant as is possible at St Joseph's and you will have noticed we are STILL insisting on the highest level of precautions (masks, social distance, sanitising of hands and building, restricted numbers), but no amount of precautions can be 100% effective and so we have to inform you that whilst in our church you may have been exposed to the virus.


We are therefore advising that you monitor yourself carefully over the next 6 days, keeping record of any places you visit and avoid unnecessary unprotected contact with people. If you feel at all unwell we advise you to take a lateral flow test and/or arrange for a PCR test - even if your symptoms are not the expected COVID symptoms.


NHS Test and Trace has been notified of possible exposure to those at St Joseph's on 10th October, but they have not yet contacted our parish office for details of those in the church during that time. This notification is from our church office as a result of your leaving us your contact details.  See below for NHS advice to exposure to COVID-19.


10th November 2021


ALERT 0NE: COVID "CONTACT AND TRACE" ALERT FOR ALL WHO VISITED St JOSEPH'S FOR MASS ON SATURDAY 9th OCTOBER 2021 (5.30 - 6.45 pm)


Three people at St Joseph's for mass on 9th October have contacted us today (13/10/2021) to say that they have tested positive for Covid-19, both with a lateral flow test and a PCR test. Although they were not displaying any symptoms until Sunday and Monday we have to notify everyone who was in St Joseph's church on Saturday 9th October between 5.30 pm and 6.45 pm that they may have been vulnerable to the infection.


We are as vigilant as is possible at St Joseph's and you will have noticed we are STILL insisting on the highest level of precautions (masks, social distance, sanitising of hands and building, restricted numbers), but no amount of precautions can be 100% effective and so we have to inform you that whilst in our church you may have been exposed to the virus.


We are therefore advising that you monitor yourself carefully over the next 6 days, keeping record of any places you visit and avoid unnecessary unprotected contact with people. If you feel at all unwell we advise you to take a lateral flow test and/or arrange for a PCR test - even if your symptoms are not the expected COVID symptoms.


NHS Test and Trace has been notified of possible exposure to those at St Joseph's on 10th October, but they have not yet contacted our parish office for details of those in the church during that time. This notification is from our church office as a result of your leaving us your contact details. See below for NHS advice to exposure to COVID-19.


Wednesday 13th October 2021

FURTHER ADVICE


The government website has lots of information on what to do if you are identified as a contact of someone who has tested positive for COVID and in particular for those who may be exempt from isolating (See https://www.gov.uk/guidance/nhs-test-and-trace-how-it-works?priority-taxon=774cee22-d896-44c1-a611-e3109cce8eae)


THOSE NOT REQUIRED TO ISOLATE BY LAW IN ENGLAND

You are not required to self-isolate if you are notified you have had close contact with someone with COVID-19 and any of the following apply:


1. You are fully vaccinated

2. You are below the age of 18 years and 6 months

3. You have taken part in or are currently part of an approved COVID-19 vaccine trial

4. You are not able to get vaccinated for medical reasons


* NOTE THAT You are only considered fully vaccinated 14 days after your final dose of an MHRA-approved vaccine that was administered in the United Kingdom. This is to allow for an antibody response to develop. If you were fully vaccinated at the time you had close contact with a positive case, you will not be required to self-isolate.


For more information on those not required to isolate see https://www.gov.uk/guidance/nhs-test-and-trace-how-it-works?priority-taxon=774cee22-d896-44c1-a611-e3109cce8eae#exemptions-from-self-isolation-for-contacts


PLEASE ALERT ANY PERSONS WHO CAME WITH YOU AS WE ARE AWARE THAT MANY FAMILY GROUPS USE ONLY ONE CONTACT NAME AND TELEPHONE NUMBER


If you have any further concerns do contact me on St Joseph's mobile 07894019328, at the parish house or through the contact form on this website.


Alison Kennedy

Pastoral Assistant, St Joseph's Parish, 12 Goodwood Road, Leicester LE5 6SG

October 2021

Share by: