Woodside Park Synagogue

Coronavirus (COVID-19) Guidance

Covid Guidelines for Attending Services as from 31 July 2021

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While these restrictions remain challenging, these rules have been set up to help reduce the risk of spreading the Covid-19 virus. However, the risk of the spread of the virus can never fully be removed (in common with many other daily activities that we normally undertake) nor can we guarantee that the shul site will be Covid–free.

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You should understand the personal choice you are making when attending services and if you do attend, we require absolute compliance with the following rules including a strict adherence to social distancing rules.   

Attendance

• It is recommended that all those who are eligible to have the Covid vaccine, do so before attending services. 

• Those who are extremely clinically vulnerable or immunocompromised, as well as those who live with them, should use their judgement as to whether to attend, even if they have been vaccinated

Please note that the Chief Rabbi has ruled that when a vaccine is offered to you, you have a religious imperative to take it in order to protect yourself and those around you.

Please do not attend shul if:

• you are feeling even slightly unwell on the day or are displaying symptoms of Covid (cough, temperature, loss of smell/taste, headache,           runny nose, sneezing, sore throat)

• Have tested positive and are within your self-isolation period

• Have been asked to self-isolate/quarantine

When you arrive

• All attendees over the age of 11 to wear masks indoors

• Please ensure you wash your hands at the outside sink by the main doors to the Wiseman Linden Hall before entering the building/s.  Alcohol based anti-bacterial sanitiser is available inside should you need to clean your hands again

• Please keep socially distanced from anyone else and we ask that you do not shake hands or greet each other with physical contact

• For track and trace purposes, only those booked to attend a service will be admitted and if you have been allocated a specific seat in shul, it is important that you do not sit anywhere else for track and trace purposes

• It is recommended that you bring your own prayer books and tallisim although these will be available to borrow should you need. Please use hand sanitiser before and after use and follow the instructions in regard to where to leave them at the end of the service

• Although the cloakrooms are available for your use, it is preferable if you keep all your belongings with you at all times

Taking your seat

• Please follow any instructions from the stewards, in particular regarding where to sit 

• Your seat will be 1m away from other members although there are a few adjacent seats available to book in advance on a first come first served basis. In the shul, you must only sit in a clearly labelled green ‘Please sit here’ marked seat

• Currently we are not allowed to operate the air conditioning or fans due to Covid-related regulations

• It should be noted that we will need to keep the windows and doors open for ventilation purposes and therefore you may wish to wear warm clothing on cold days

Youth and Children’s Services

• The Youth Service, Children’s Service and the Toddler’s Service will be held with 1m social distancing measures in place

After the service

• Where a Kiddush is being offered, please follow the instructions given at the time. This is currently taking place outdoors but should the Wiseman Linden Hall be used, hand sanitiser must be used on entry

• In the event of a confirmed case of Covid, please inform the shul office as soon as possible
  Tel No: 020 8445 4236 / email: manager@woodsidepark.org.uk 
   

To download the guidelines please click here

Covid Guidelines for Attending Children’s/Toddler’s Services

as at June 2021

While these restrictions remain challenging, these rules have been set up to help reduce the risk of spreading the Covid-19 virus. However, the risk of the spread of the virus can never fully be removed (in common with many other daily activities that we normally undertake) nor can we guarantee that the shul site will be Covid–free. You should understand the personal choice you are making when attending services.

Before the service:

• If you are no longer able to attend or do not wish to take up your seat for this service, please email manager@woodsidepark.org.uk or call the shul office as soon as possible

• If you or your child are feeling even slightly unwell on the day, please do not attend the Children’s Service

• If you or anybody in your household are displaying symptoms of Coronavirus - including high

  temperature, a new continuous cough or loss of taste or smell, please do not attend the service

• If you are clinically vulnerable or live with someone who is, you should take medical advice before deciding

  whether to attend

When you arrive:

• Please do not arrive early as we need to stagger arrival times with the other services taking place

• Due to very restricted numbers, only those booked to attend the Children’s Service will be admitted

• Face coverings must be worn by anyone over the age of 11 at all times while on the premises. Please

  note that visors are not an acceptable form of face covering. Members must wear masks that cover the

  nose and mouth.

• Please ensure you wash your hands at the outside sink by the main doors to the Wiseman Linden Hall

  before entering the building. Alcohol based anti-bacterial sanitiser is available inside should you need to

  clean your hands again

• Please always keep 2m apart from anyone else

You will not be able to shake hands or come close to anyone else
 

Taking your seat:

• The Children’s Service for years 1-6 will be held on the first floor of the Wiseman Linden Building and theToddler’s Service will be held in the Woodside Gan nursery

• Please follow the one-way system which will be clearly signposted

• Please also follow any instructions from the stewards and service leaders

• All children must sit with an adult from their household throughout the Children’s/Toddler’s Service

  - There is a maximum limit of 2 children per adult
  - You and your children will be seated at a table, 2m away from other members
  - Parents are responsible to ensure their children do not leave their seat
  - There will be no provision for children or parents to wait anywhere else on the premises during Shabbat

  Services
  - We ask parents to use their own judgement as to whether their child will be able to sit for the service

  before booking
  - Please ensure you and your children remain in your seats for the duration of the service

• It should be noted that we will need to keep the windows and doors open for ventilation purposes and therefore the room temperature may feel cold - you may wish to dress you and your children in warm clothing should the weather be inclement

• If you or your children need to use the toilet during the service, please follow the one-way system out of the service

   

After the Children’s/Toddler’s Service:

• Unfortunately, it will not be possible to attend a main service

• Where a Kiddush is being offered, this will take place outdoors and under social distancing guidelines. Please

  follow the instructions given at the time.

• Please leave promptly when directed and avoid mingling, not just on the shul site but on the nearby streets

Coronavirus - Useful Links

Barnet Council Latest Information and Advice Click here

Barnet Multi Faith Forum Click here

COVID 19 Testing in Barnet Click here
Barnet Covid-19 Bereavement and Counselling Service Click here
Citizens Advice Barnet help available Click here

Government travel advice: Click here

Government latest information: Click here

Jewish Bereavement Counselling Service Click here

Jewish Hospital Chaplains Visitation during Covid Click here

NHS guidance: Click here

United Synagogue Coronavirus Updates Click here

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List of Kosher establishments, supermarkets, butchers and restaurants

offering delivery to the Woodside Park area. Click here

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