Due to the current state of the pandemic, it has been decided that for the
second year we will not be able to safely hold the AGM by end of March. We will
try and hold the AGM as soon as it is practically possible to ensure the safety
of our members and when legally allowed to have larger gatherings. Until we can
safely hold the next AGM, the current set of committee members and trustees have
agreed to remain in place.
In the meantime, please be reassured that the current committee and trustees
have been working behind the scenes to ensure that the Temple is still
maintained and managed effectively. Although we can't hold the AGM, but as our
constitution demands, we will still be sending to our members only, the audited
set of accounts. During these trying times, we thank everyone who has donated to
the Temple to ensure that we do not eat into our reserves too much.
During the lockdowns, we have tried to keep the community engaged by running as
many events online as possible. For this, our pujari Shree Riteshbhai has done a
splendid job. We will continue to run as many online events as possible until
the Government allows us to safely reopen so that we can hold the events as
before. We thank you all for the online participation in the events.
Please note that the closure of the Temple has been reviewed and it will remain
closed to the public for the present.
Vedic Society Hindu Temple Committee
22 December 2020
The Temple will be closed to the public until further notice.
The Sunday morning Temple opening will now stop until further notice.
We have had a robust Covid-secure system in place at the Temple and to date
there have been no cases arising from the Temple. However there is a new variant
of Coronavirus that is much more infectious that has emerged in South-East
England recently. For the safety of the community, the volunteers and the priest
the Temple will be closed to the public until further notice.
We will closely monitor the situation and review this policy as the situation
changes.
Please follow the advice of the authorities.
Please maintain social distancing, regular hand-washing and wearing a face mask.
Please accept the Coronavirus vaccination when offered to you.
Keep Safe and Stay Well.
Thank you for your cooperation and understanding.
Vedic Society Hindu Temple Committee
Covid-19 Vaccinations
17 January 2021
Namaste and Jai Shri Krishna
We hope you are all keeping well.
We are currently facing a serious situation with widespread Covid-19 in the
wider community. The NHS is under serious pressure. A major part of the solution
is Covid-19 vaccination.
We endorse and recommend the MHRA approved Pfizer-BioNTech, Oxford-AstraZeneca
and Moderna vaccines for eligible at-risk individuals.
We encourage all of our community to accept the Covid-19 vaccination when it is
recommended for you.
It is provided free on the NHS and is not available
privately.
People have many questions. We have tried to answer some of these below.
There is link to the BBC website where there is information in 5 languages
Gujarati, Punjabi, Sylheti, Tamil and Urdu.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-55279549
ARE THE VACCINES SAFE?
The vaccines have been approved in the UK by the MHRA (Medicines & Health care
products Regulatory Agency). MHRA is an independent authority that is
responsible for ensuring that medicines, medical devices and vaccinations meet
applicable standards of safety, quality and efficacy. They have a stringent and
rigorous process for all medicines and vaccinations to be approved.
The Covid-19 vaccines have also been approved in other parts of the world such
as the USA and Europe by their independent regulatory authorities.
DO THE VACCINES HAVE ANY ANIMAL INGREDIENTS?
There are no animal products and no eggs in the vaccines. They are vegetarian
and vegan.
WHAT ARE THE EXPECTED SIDE-EFFECTS?
The known side effects are similar to other vaccinations: pain in the site of
the injection, body aches, mild fever, tiredness. All lasting for 1 or 2 days
after the vaccination. After 3 million doses of vaccination given in the UK,
there have been no major side effects.
CAN I GET COVID FROM THE VACCINES?
No. The vaccines do not give you Covid-19 infection. They give the bodys immune
system a look at the proteins on the surface of the coronavirus. The immune
system develops antibodies to these proteins. These antibodies attack the
coronavirus if it invades your body.
ARE THE VACCINES THE SOLUTION TO COVID-19?
The vaccines are a major part of the solution. However for the next few months
we will still need to continue with social distancing, hand washing and wearing
a mask.
WHY IS THIS IMPORTANT TO THE HINDU COMMUNITY?
The ethnic minorities are at a higher risk of Covid-19 complications and death.
The older age groups and those with chronic diseases such as high blood
pressure, diabetes, cardiac and respiratory problems are also at a high risk.
Many of our community fall into these high-risk categories. They have the most
to benefit from the vaccines.
WHO SHOULD NOT TAKE THESE VACCINES?
Those who have an allergy to the vaccines should not take the vaccine. Those who
have a significant history of allergies should speak to their doctor for advice.
Pregnant women and those breast-feeding. The available data do not indicate any
safety concern or harm to pregnancy but there is insufficient evidence to
recommend routine use of COVID-19 vaccines during pregnancy.
However, if a pregnant woman meets the definition of being clinically extremely
vulnerable, then she should discuss the options of COVID-19 vaccination with her
obstetrician and/or doctor.
For full advice click here.
ARE THERE ANY CONCERNS?
This is a rapidly evolving field and we will review this position in light of
any new information. However, knowing that 3 million people in the UK have been
vaccinated already without any major problems is very reassuring.
Balancing the current evidence on the vaccines, understanding all the concerns
and knowing the risks of the coronavirus, we recommend the Covid-19 vaccines to
all those eligible at-risk individuals in our community.
Vedic Society of Southampton Committee
29 July 2020
Due to Covid-19 restrictions and to ensure safety for all devotees, we have
implemented a one way system in the temple, hand sanitising, temperature
measurements and contact tracing. However, to ensure that all this is done, we
need volunteers. This will allow us to open the temple for longer periods. If you are able to volunteer then
please contact the Vedic Committee by email: secretary@vedicsociety.com or
vedicsocietysoton@gmail.com
In line with the UK government guidance, the
Temple will open for personal prayers and darshan
only.
Those who come to the Temple must take
responsibility for their health. Only a limited
number will be allowed into the Temple at any
one time. Your support,
cooperation and patience are greatly
appreciated.
Please do not come to the Temple if:
▪ you or anyone in your household have high
fever, new continuous cough, loss of taste &
smell or not well (cold or flu).
▪ you had close contact with a person who may
have Covid19.
▪ anyone in your household is self-isolating or
has been asked to self-isolate by Test & Trace.
▪ you or anyone in your household have travelled
in the past 14 days and are self-isolating.
Please do not bring any prasad. Instead please
consider making a donation.
Please do bring a mask or face covering with you
when you attend.
Please be prepared to give your name and contact
details.
Please do not bring anything else to the Temple.
Please follow the rules as given below.
For everyones safety the following measures
will apply:
You will be required to give your name and
contact details to assist NHS with contact
tracing. This record will be deleted after 21
days.
Please use the hand sanitisers provided when
you enter and leave the Temple.
Please wear a mask or any suitable face
covering.
No bell ringing.
No prostrating.
No abhishekum of Shivling (please do not bring
milk).
Do not bring any prasad or any offerings.
Please do not touch anything in the Temple.
No touching of any murtis.
Avoid touching the handrails.
No singing or chanting. Please keep talking to
a minimum.
Please keep to the 2-metre distance within the
Temple, but if you are from the same household
you can do darshan together. A household is a
person or a group of people who live together in
the same accommodation.
It is strongly advised that social distancing
is maintained with other households.
Parents or guardians should ensure children
maintain social distancing. Please do not bring
children under age of 5 years as small children
can find social distancing difficult. Parents
are responsible for their children at all times.
Devotees over the age of 70 and those who are
vulnerable with underlying health conditions are
advised to stay at home.
Please restrict your time in the Temple to a
few minutes only.
Please maintain social distancing outside and
please do not congregate in the car park
outside.
These rules will be adhered to strictly for
everyone and are for the safety of all. Failure
to comply with these rules will mean admission
to the Temple will not be possible.
We request that you do not bring any
offerings to the Temple so as to protect
the rest of the community, especially our Priest
Shree Riteshbhai, the volunteers and all the
devotees who attend the Temple.
If you do bring such items then you will
be politely requested to take the items away.
This is very difficult for the volunteers to do.
Please do not put them in such an awkward
situation.
Please let us be sensible and follow the rules.
If we do not follow the rules, we risk another
complete closure of the Temple.
If you become unwell with Covid19 symptoms
after visiting the Temple please inform the
Vedic Society Hindu Temple by telephone
Landline: 02380 632 275 or
Mobile: 07 400 142 356 or
Email: secretary@vedicsociety.com
or
vedicsocietysoton@gmail.com.
The Committee will review these measures
periodically, taking in to account any new
guidance issued by the government and our
ability to meet them, and inform you
accordingly.
