| Dear Friends, Planning for easing of restrictions The House of Bishops COV19-Recovery Group is continuing to publish advice and guidance to help plan for the easing of Government restrictions relating to the pandemic. As part of the phased approach to the return to church buildings, the Recovery Group has issued advice to help ensure that buildings are in appropriate condition to be used for such purposes as are allowed. This includes updated advice for incumbents on Access to church buildings during lockdown, as well as general advice for incumbents, churchwardens and PCC members on Access to church buildings during lockdown. Advice on Keeping church buildings clean during coronavirus has also been issued, based on Government guidance and guidance issued by Historic England. To help plan for limited access to church buildings for specific purposes such as livestreaming or building maintenance, the Recovery Group has issued a Risk Assessment Checklist for Parish Churches . As we plan for the easing of Government restrictions, as well as a phased return to church buildings, a greater range of contact for pastoral support may also become possible. The Recovery Group has therefore issued Advice on pastoral support in the community, including care homes , to help enable pastoral support and visiting while minimising risk as far as possible. The Government is expected to produce further guidance on the easing of restrictions in due course and, as they do, the Recovery Group will continue to work on the planning process. It is providing Dioceses with further advice papers, and these will be published on the Church of England website. If you have queries in the meantime, please contact your Archdeacon. With our prayers for you all, Bishop Tim, Bishop David and Bishop Debbie And the Bishop’s Staff Team: Andrew Robinson, Diocesan Chief Executive Catherine Ogle, Dean of Winchester Peter Rouch, Archdeacon of Bournemouth Richard Brand, Archdeacon of Winchester Mat Phipps, Bishop’s Chaplain |