Dear all,

We hope this finds you safe and well.

Following the Prime Minister’s announcement of the government’s roadmap to cautiously ease lockdown restrictions in England, it is important that we understand what this means for our faith settings across Tower Hamlets.

The roadmap sets out the plan to slowly, and cautiously, begin to ease restrictions in all areas across England at the same time, guided by data, not dates.

The roadmap outlines four steps for easing restrictions. Before proceeding to the next step, the government will examine the data to assess the impact of previous steps.

Further guidance can be found here https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-response-spring-2021

From this Monday, as well as schools reopening to more pupils, funeral services are permitted for up to 30 people and weddings for up to 6 people, but the other current restrictions will still apply.

Things will only gradually return to some normality in stages if we all continue to work together to prevent any further flare ups of the virus.

For the time being, people must still stay at home and not leave home unless for specific and limited reasons. Places of worship are permitted to stay open for private and communal worship where all Covid-secure precautions can be met. The public can attend places of worship for a service but must not socialise or be in close contact with anyone outside of their household or support bubble. Everyone should always maintain strict social distancing (at least 2m).

Due to the changes to regulations, reduction in case numbers and the vaccination programme, we are aware that some faith settings across the borough have and are intending to reopen.

If you are a setting that has reopened, or plan to reopen, then please use the guidance on safe opening (link below), as well as templates for risk assessments. You can access additional  support from the Faith Covid Assistance Partnership, who can provide infection prevention supplies if needed. Please email phcov19@towerhamlets.gov.uk if you would like help reviewing your risk assessment. We also advise the use of online and virtual services alongside opening for those most vulnerable and at risk.  

If you haven’t yet reopened, then our advice is to stay closed for now and continue to maintain digital services until Covid-19 rates are consistently at levels seen prior to the second wave. While Covid-19 case numbers are lower than they have been, our rate remains high and many vulnerable people remain unvaccinated. The simplest way to protect residents is to remain closed at this time.

Please also be mindful that if you are reopening then there is a possibility that places will need to be closed again in the future.

We recognise and appreciate the spiritual, emotional and social benefits that worship provides, but the situation in Tower Hamlets remains serious and we must do everything we can to help our local hospitals. We are urging faith settings to think very carefully about whether they can be absolutely certain that they can maintain all of the safety measures listed here, and to close if in doubt or if there are any concerns. This will be an individual decision and will be highly dependent on the measures faith settings are able to put in place.

Full guidance is available online – https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-guidance-for-the-safe-use-of-places-of-worship-during-the-pandemic-from-4-july

We recommend checking this online information for updates as the situation progresses.

We know this has been a difficult time, and your ongoing leadership and support for the most vulnerable members of our community has been invaluable.

If you have any concerns, please contact the council’s Public Health inbox at PHCov19@towerhamlets.gov.uk.

You can contact FaithAction for supplies and if you have any questions or concerns about Covid-19 jenny.hadgraft@faithaction.net

Thank you for your continued leadership and support within our community.

Yours sincerely,

Reverend Alan Green

Chair of Tower Hamlets Inter Faith Forum

Dr Somen Banerjee

Director of Public Health

Mayor John Biggs

Councillor Sirajul Islam

Statutory Deputy Mayor

Cabinet Member for Faith Communities