The government have now put in place, for a minimum of 3 weeks from 16 April 2020, measures to reduce the risk of coronavirus. Following advice received, Fair Oak & Horton Heath Parish Council would advise that, whilst these measures remain in place, the number of attendees at a burial should be limited to those of the immediate family only - spouse or partner, parents/carers, brothers/sisters, and children (and partners). The number of immediate family members should be limited to 10. ​In order to protect yourselves, your family, and those who are assisting you in the burial of your loved one, please observe the 2 metre social distancing rules. Those family members who are most vulnerable to serious illness as a result of the coronavirus should consider carefully whether they should not attend the burial. Anyone who is subject to the requirements to self-isolate, or who is showing any symptoms of the coronavirus, must not attend the burial. ​We understand that this will be very difficult for you and your family at this time, but these measures will help us all to limit the spread of the coronavirus. ​This statement will be updated as and when the government measures are changed. 1st April - Guidance from Public Health England in relation to funerals for a person who has died with suspected or confirmed coronavirus (COVID-19) Guidance has been received from Public Health England, and should be adhered to in relation to organising funerals for those who have died with suspected or confirmed coronavirus infection (COVID-19): ​The number of mourners who attend should be restricted so that a safe distance of at least 2 metres can be maintained between individuals (Council restrictions currently in place are a maximum of 10 attendees). Those who attend should only be members of the deceased’s household, or close family members (see list above for those who are considered close family members). If the person who has died has neither household or family members in attendance, then it is possible for a small number of friends to attend (maximum 10). ​At no point should mourners mix closer than 2 metres apart from each other. ​Mourners should follow the advice on social distancing when travelling to and from the funeral gathering. Mourners should avoid any direct face-to-face or physical contact, for example, hugging each other, unless they are part of the same household, that is, they have already been living in the same house as each other. ​Mourners should follow the general advice on hand hygiene and preventing the spread of infection: wash your hands more often than usual, for 20 seconds using soap and hot water, particularly after coughing, sneezing and blowing your nose, or after being in public areas where other people are doing so. Use hand sanitiser if that’s all you have access to and wash your hands with soap and hot water as soon as you can. ​To reduce the spread of germs when you cough or sneeze, cover your mouth and nose with a tissue, or your sleeve (not your hands) if you don’t have a tissue, and throw away the tissue immediately. Then you should wash your hands, or use a hand sanitising gel. ​Before and after a service, the area in which the service has taken place should be cleaned and disinfected, as well as frequently touched objects and surfaces, in order to reduce the risk of passing the infection on to other people. ​Mourners who are unwell with symptoms of coronavirus, or who are part of a household with possible coronavirus infection, should not attend any funeral gatherings. In many situations the household members of the deceased person will be the next of kin and may be having to self-isolate in line with government guidance. Where the funeral is scheduled to take place before the period of household isolation has been completed (14 days from the first case of infection in that particular household), there should be no mixing between mourners who are self-isolating and those who are not. Mourners who are experiencing symptoms of coronavirus should not attend under any circumstances.