Kisharon families and friends have been asked to make Covid safety practices their top priority following the emergence of the Omicron variant in the UK.

“Our priority remains the safety and well-being of everyone at Kisharon,” said Hadassa Kessler, Director of Operations and Development, in a letter to families, friends and carers as the government launched Plan B to curb the spread of the new variant.

People supported by Kisharon are tested regularly and encouraged to wear masks in places where the public is present indoors and on public transport. Staff are tested weekly, have daily temperature checks and wear masks.

Visitors to Kisharon are welcome, but are required to follow specific guidelines before coming to any adult service or head office. They too are now required to wear masks.

Visitors will need to complete Kisharon’s online Covid-19 screening tool. This can be accessed here: https://www.kisharon.org.uk/covid-19-screening-tool/

A paper version is available at the entrance to all Kisharon services.

The day before coming, visitors should complete a Lateral Flow test. The result should be uploaded on Kisharon’s screening tool, or photographed and shown to staff. Alternatively a text confirmation from the NHS Rapid Flow Test reporting site will do. Those without Lateral Flow tests can ask staff for one on arrival.

The result should be registered on the NHS Test, Trace and isolate website, using Kisharon’s organisation number (UON) 99902538.

Finally visitors are required to use the hand sanitiser at the service they are visiting. Staff – non-Jewish staff on Shabbos – take temperatures using a hands-free device. Following Rabbinical advice, hand sanitiser can be diluted with water to make it Shabbos-friendly.

“We do appreciate all your support in helping us keep the people we support and staff safe,” Hadassa added.