Coronavirus (COVID-19) regulations guidance May-June 2021

Coronavirus (COVID-19) regulations guidance: what the restrictions mean for you

Although many coronavirus restrictions have eased, some regulations remain in place to help stop the spread of COVID-19. Continue to protect yourself and others by following public health advice and find out the rules on what you can and cannot do below.

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JUMP TO NI DIRECT CURRENT COVID INFORMATION

Regulations

The current regulations will be reviewed on 10 June 2021.

The regulations are available on the Department of Health website:

Some of the restrictions are law through regulation, while others are guidance. 

Everyone is legally required to comply with the regulations.

 

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Community Wellbeing and Resilience Programme

Community Wellbeing and Resilience Programme

The Community Wellbeing and Resilience Programme has been designed for staff and volunteers working in the community sector who have been involved on the frontline of the Covid-19 pandemic response.

The project is a partnership between Inspire Wellbeing, who will deliver the sessions and NICVA who will provide the administrative support for accessing the pre-recorded and live webinars.  It is funded by the Department for Communities.

This FREE Programme allows participants to access a range of wellbeing sessions.

Tier 1, Wellbeing in Your World, is a series of six Pre-recorded Webinars suitable for all levels of staff and volunteers. The Pre-recorded Webinars will be available from Friday 18 December until Friday 19 February 2021, so participants can re-visit them at any point up until then.  

Tier 2 offers three Live Webinars which will focus on building and maintaining positive mental health.  Each Live Webinar will last 2 hours on 12th, 18th and 29th January. Tier 2 also offers a six week course of Live Webinars –  Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction Programme beginning on 11th February.

Lastly, Tier 3 comprises Resources which offer specific services and resources designed to support ongoing mental health and wellbeing.

Please register using the links below.  

Pre-recorded Webinars – Wellbeing in Your World

Topic Date Available Time
Stress and Anxiety 18/12/20 – 19/2/21 30 mins
Getting a Good Night’s Sleep 18/12/20 – 19/2/21 30 mins
Alcohol, Other Drugs and Coping with Covid-19 18/12/20 – 19/2/21 1.5 hours
Anti-Stigma and Mental Health Awareness 18/12/20 – 19/2/21 1 hour
Mental Health and Stigma Awareness for Managers 18/12/20- 19/2/21 30 mins
Burnout 18/12/20 – 19/2/21 10 mins

 

Live Webinars – Building and Maintaining Positive Mental Health

Topic Date Time Facilitator
Introduction to Mindfulness (2 hours) Tuesday 12 January 2021 2pm – 4pm Frank Liddy
Positive Mental Health (2 hours) Monday 18 January 2021 10am – 12noon Julie Hill
Managers Promoting Positive Mental Health (2 hours) Friday 29 January 2021 10am – 12noon Julie Hill

 

Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction Programme (6 week course of Live Webinars)

Session Date Time
Session One Thursday 11 February 2pm – 3pm
Session Two Tuesday 16 February 2pm – 3pm
Session Three Thursday 25 February 2pm – 3pm
Session Four Tuesday 2 March 2pm – 3pm
Session Five Tuesday 9 March 2pm – 3pm
Session Six Tuesday 16 March 2pm – 3pm

Facilitator: Frank Liddy

Resources

Inspire Support Hub

Participants will be given access to the Inspire Support Hub for one year to allow for more on-going mental health, resilience and wellbeing support. With just a few simple steps you can create your personal profile and start using the support hub. Just follow the steps detailed here to get started.

TQUK Level 1 Award in Mental Health Awareness (RQF)

NICVA is delighted to be able to offer accreditation for anyone working in mental health or wanting to learn more about what is mental health and well being. This is an opportunity to gain recognition of existing skills and understanding of mental health but also for anyone that wants an introductory level of understanding in Mental Health Awareness. Learners will research what mental health means, the effects mental health can have on individuals and on society, the current responses to mental health and the relationship between cultural diversity and mental health issues.

The pre-recorded and live webinars included in the Community Wellbeing and Resilience Programme will help the learner to meet some of the requirements of the level 1 qualification.

This course is available for self study anytime that suits you, so register today. The closing date for completion of the accreditation booklet is 26 February 2021.

Covid Wellbeing Northern Ireland Online Hub

The website offers a comprehensive range of information, self-help guides and ways to access help to support your mental health and wellbeing. It was created by CovidWellBeingNI a partnership of 15 leading mental health and wellbeing charities and the Healthy Living Centre Alliance representing 28 Healthy Living Centres alongside the Public Health Agency, Department of Health and the Department for Communities. The focus is on promoting positive mental health and wellbeing during and after the Covid19 pandemic.

A useful guide to Mental and emotional wellbeing resources

This website from the Health and Social Care Board offers a useful guide to mental and emotional wellbeing resources.  It also offers access to a Psychological First Aid Course.

StopCOVID NI app  for 11-17 year olds

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StopCOVID NI app  for 11-17 year olds

The StopCOVID NI app is also open to young people, aged 11 to 17, to download.

It’s the same app; it just looks a bit different.

The app does not collect any of your personal information or track your location.

It works via Bluetooth, but it won’t use much battery or data allowance.

By using the app you will help reduce the spread of coronavirus, helping to protect your family, friends and community.

How the app works

The process for how the app works is outlined below:

  • phones of those using the app emit anonymised coded ‘keys’, ‘Identifier Beacons’, which change every 15 minutes
  • ‘keys’ are stored on the user’s phone for 10 days before being discarded
  • when close to each other, app users’ phones exchange these anonymous ‘keys’, and if they are in close proximity with another user for a significant period of time, both will store the anonymous ‘key’ of the other phone for 10 days
  • if an app user tests positive for COVID-19 the app will notify any app users that have been closer than two metres for more than fifteen minutes (this is in line with current public health policy, and can be changed depending on advised best practice), in the previous 10 days
  • if you get a notification via the app telling you that you were in contact with someone who has tested positive you must self-isolate for 10 days