The government has now published a roadmap showing the timetable and requirements to facilitate the easing of restrictions and lockdown. 

 

It will be a staged approach which is data driven - not simply based on dates! 

 

The indications point to 12 April 2021 as a possible date for the possible reopening of community building, including village halls. But whether or not Topcliffe & Asenby Village Hall reopens then will depend on a number of things, including the committee's own assessment about whether the hall can be opened safely - with no risks to the public or volunteers.  

 

The risks and requirements to mitigate against the Covid threat will continue to be extremely complex and hard to administer for sometime yet, even if the government authorises halls to reopen. There would be a need for a comprehensive Risk Assessment prepared by the committee, which would need to be regularly reviewed as rules change and hall users come on board. The hall users themselves will need to prepare their own Risk Assessment. 

 

On 17 February 2021 (before the government's roadmap was announced) the committee voted to keep the hall closed indefinitely, with the exception of allowing it to be used as a Polling Station on 6 May. They also agreed to review their decision in the light of government announcements, so in due course, the committee will meet to consider the whole question surrounding reopening and on which date. 

 

At the committee meeting on 25 August it was agreed that the following private hires/events which were postponed due to the pandemic will be rescheduled as soon as possible once the pandemic is over or the committee believes it is safe to stage them. 

• Challenge Quiz & Curry Night 

• Race Night 

• Attic Auction