Updated Face coverings Guidance for the John Godber Centre

From Friday 10th December as a community venue the wearing of face coverings by the public, and staff in public facing areas, will be mandatory in the John Godber Centre unless exempt.

Copying previous advice – people are expected to wear a face covering BEFORE entering a community building and must keep it on UNTIL they leave (and have exited the building) unless there is a reasonable excuse for removing it.

As the Government releases guidance for each sector hirers will update their customers/guests on their own rules and guidelines for their activities within their hired rooms. Within the public areas however face coverings should be worn where you may come into contact with others and we have displayed our previous face covering signage in the public areas to advise this.

We are working with the guidance that face coverings are not required in any hospitality settings (such as cafes or bars) within venues, or areas which are mainly being used for eating, drinking and dancing. Over the coming few weeks hospitality events are able to be hosted in separate areas and different times.

Those visiting the Portland room on the first floor should use the rear Car Park entrance only, those visiting the ground floor spaces should use the reception Ogle Street entrance.

The John Godber Centre continues to operate a no queuing or waiting policy in reception and it’s public corridors to support transitory passing in areas where there is low ventilation, this will remain in place as part of our own venue risk assessment regardless of the new face coverings rule or weather changes.

In addition please continue to use sanitiser when entering the venue and regularly during your visit. The Centre team are regularly cleaning high contact points throughout the day as well as hirers in sessions.

Some people are not able to wear face coverings, and the reasons for this may not be visible to others. Please be mindful and respectful of such circumstances and show kindness.

As a multi-purpose venue we are continuing to review and implement Government advice as it is available but as we have found over the past 21 months this isn’t always immediate or clear and often requires review and further clarification. At times we’ve had to delve into and question legal details or await updates from other bodies so the above is subject to change.

For now the only COVID changes relate to the wearing of face coverings but please do check with your hirer or host about their own plans and we will communicate as soon as possible any changes to the above. We will always look to quickly answer questions where we can and support anxieties. The wellbeing and safety of our team and all who use and work in the John Godber Centre will always be our highest priority.

Thank you for the support to all those who can wear a covering, and for the kindness shown to those who can’t at this time.