Last updated: 16 March 2020  

There have been a small number of cases of Coronavirus (COVID-19) in the UK, GFS is monitoring and staying up to date with UK Government and Public Health England and are following their advice as the situation evolves. 

As advice changes, we will maintain this page with the most up to date information available.  

Is my group open?

GFS Stanwix, GFS Dunvant GFS Leytonstone, GFS Market Drayton, GFS Hackney, GFS Pittington, GFS Aigburth and GFS Felinfoel have all made us aware that they will be closed this week.

GFS Eldon will not be holding their trip to Beamish this weekend.

Starting from 23 March, all GFS groups will be closed until at least the beginning of May. In May we will review the situation nationwide and take a decision as to whether or not groups can be reopened.

Self isolation

If you or anyone in your household has experience cold and flu like symptoms within the last seven day, please do not come to group. The government has advised that anyone with cold or flu symptoms, however mild, should stay at home for a minimum of seven days.

GFS London office

GFS will be closing it’s London office as of 20 March. Unfortunately that means we will not be able to accept post during this time. Please rest assured that will otherwise be contactable – all staff will be working form home. You can call us on our normal office number, or if you are having any trouble getting in touch, email us at info@girlsfriendlysociety.org.uk

Have you or anyone at in your direct family travelled out of the UK recently? 

Stay indoors and avoid contact with other people if you’ve travelled to the UK from the following places, even if you do not have symptoms:

  • Italy (since 9 March) 

Anyone who has travelled to the UK from any of these countries in the last 14 days and is experiencing cough or fever or shortness of breath, should stay indoors even if symptoms are mild and call NHS 111. In Wales call NHS Direct Wales on 0845 46 47 or 111 if available in your area. If you’re in Northern Ireland, call 0300 200 7885.

  • Mainland China
  • South Korea outside of special care zones 
  • Cambodia
  • Thailand
  • Japan
  • Laos
  • Hong Kong
  • Taiwan
  • Singapore
  • Malaysia
  • Macau
  • Vietnam
  • Myanmar

If you have returned from the following places in the last 14 days you should call NHS 111, stay indoors and avoid contact with other people even if you do not have symptoms. In Wales call NHS Direct Wales on 0845 46 47 or 111 if available in your area. If you’re in Northern Ireland, call 0300 200 7885.

  • Iran 
  • special care zones in South Korea as designated by the Government of the Republic of South Korea
  • Hubei province

More information can be found on the  Public Health England site. 

If you or anyone in your direct family have been to any of the above places in the times listed please do not come to group or send your daughter to group. Follow the above advice from NHS. 

If you are diagnosed

If a doctor diagnoses your child or anyone in your immediate family with Coronavirus, please let us know as soon as possible via the contact details at the bottom of this page, so we can take appropriate action. 

Staying healthy 

We are asking all out group leaders to share the staying healthy, stop germs spreading advice tips from the NHS.  

  • Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or your sleeve (not your hands) when you cough or sneeze 
  • Put used tissues in the bin straight away 
  • Wash your hands with soap and water often – use hand sanitiser gel if soap and water are not available 
  • Try to avoid close contact with people who are unwell. 

Contact details

If you have any concerns and would like to speak to anyone, please call joint Designated Safeguarding Leads: Laura Sercombe 07341 208 622 or Carolyn Peers 07810 501 737 or email them on dsl@girlsfriendlysociety.org.uk