Covid-19: Impact of the new 3-Tier System

Published 17:39 on 21 Oct 2020

STOP PRESS: We will update this page when the details of the newly announced lockdown restrictions are published.

Under the new 3-Tier system, the regulations and guidance governing WWSC activities now depend on which Tier Zone is designated both for the area where a member lives as well as for the Club itself. So, for example, if you live in London but sail at West Wittering, restrictions relating to more than just one of the three Tier Zones could be relevant. We have updated our Policy and guidance material to reflect this.

How does this affect things?

Under the new system the rules covering the sailing once you are out on the water are the same in each Zone and follow the same approach as in the previous regulations. Sailing activities organised by the Club and following RYA advice continue to be permitted. The "Rule of 6" for gatherings on land and within a single vessel remains in place in all 3 zones. However, in Tier 2 and Tier 3 Zones there are additional restrictions on gatherings which go beyond the "Rule of 6".

• In Tier 3 "Very High Risk" Zones you are not permitted to gather with anyone who is from outside your household (or support bubble) whether this is indoors or outdoors (with certain exceptions).
• In Tier 2 "High Risk" Zones" you are not permitted to gather indoors with anyone who is from outside your household (or support bubble), (again with certain exceptions). The "Rule of 6" applies to outdoor gatherings.

So far as WWSC is concerned, the main impact of this is how it affects members visiting the Club. Under the 3-Tier approach:

• Travel into or out of a Tier 3 "Very High Risk" Zone is against Government guidance unless such travel is "essential" or you are simply passing through and not stopping. This means that members living in these Zones should not visit the Club unless the Club is also in the same Tier 3 Zone. If they do visit the Club for an essential reason, members should avoid meeting anyone not in their household (or support bubble) both indoors and outdoors.
• Government guidance does not restrict travel within or out of a Tier 2 "High Risk" Zone (unless it means visiting a Tier 3 Zone) to venues or amenities that are open, or for work or education. Instead the message is to reduce the number of journeys where possible. This means that members living in a Tier 2 Zone can visit the Club (provided the Club is not in a Tier 3 Zone) however such members should not socialise with anyone indoors who is not from their own household (or support bubble).
• Members living in a Tier 1 "Medium Risk" Zone may continue to visit the Club so long as the Club is not in a Tier 3 Zone. If this means such members are moving from a Tier 1 into a Tier 2 Zone, they must follow the restrictions in the Tier 2 Zone by not socialising indoors with anyone who is not in their household (or support bubble).

You can read more about the latest rules here.

Last updated 11:01 on 28 March 2024