Freemasons Hall - Covid Protocols

Dear Brethren,

As you know, the Prime Minister removed a number of Covid restrictions with effect from 19th July.

Whilst these changes are welcome, the safety and health of our members, guests and staff remain an absolute priority.

To that end, we would ask that you support the protocols we will have in place until 30th September. These measures will hopefully allay any concerns that members may still have and therefore encourage them to visit Freemasons’ Hall, Park Street, once again.

• All public areas, as well as hard surfaces such as stair handrails and door handles etc. will be sanitised every day using a fogging machine.

• Freemasons’ Hall will undergo a professional deep clean throughout the building.

• Face masks to be worn when entering Freemasons’ Hall until you reach the bar, cloakroom or Lodge room.

• Please sanitise your hands upon arrival and use the sanitising stations which will be placed throughout the building.

• Please follow the one-way system throughout the building.

• Table service will be available in the main bar, with mobile bars in dining rooms 1 and 2.

• Contactless payment is preferred.

• Access to Freemasons’ Hall will be from 5pm onwards and the bar will be open from 5.30pm.

Please remember, if you have any of the main Covid symptoms (loss of taste or smell, high fever, a new or continuous cough) please stay at home and seek a PCR test.

With your continued support, these measures will only be in place until 30th September and we look forward to welcoming you back to Freemasons’ Hall in the very near future.

The eight points outlined in the special edition of First Rising, issued on 13th July, still apply and are repeated here for convenience:

1. In holding Lodge and Chapter meetings it is essential that Brethren and Companions comply with all legal requirements from time to time in force.

2. Provided that they do so, it is not UGLE’s policy to impose restrictions on meeting beyond those required by the law.

3. No pressure must be applied to anyone either to attend or refrain from attending meetings.

4. The same principle applies to the wearing of face coverings, which should be regarded as a matter of personal choice.

5. The use of the modifications to the ceremonies, introduced in the summer of 2020 to enable ceremonies to be performed, should cease as soon as is practicable, except where local legal requirements are imposed in relation to such matters as social distancing.

6. The ceremony of Raising (and of Exaltation in the Royal Arch) is once again permitted.

7. It is nonetheless sensible to ensure that a candidate for any degree, and in particular that of initiation, is made aware that the ceremony he will undergo will involve a measure of physical contact, so that he can make his own decision as to whether to proceed with it at this time.

8. Regulations 5 to 11 of the Temporary Emergency Measures for Covid-19 remain in force, to the extent that they are needed, until 31st December 2021, or such earlier date as the Grand Master or the Pro Grand Master on his behalf shall direct. The Pro Grand Master has directed that Regulations 1 to 4 shall cease to apply from 7th August 2021 except in relation to the unexpired period of a suspension already notified in accordance with them.