National Lockdown
Published 14:10 on 7 Jan 2021
On January 4th 2021 the Prime Minister announced that a national lockdown was to be imposed throughout England with a request that people respond immediately to the new rules. As a consequence we have had to update our advice to members and revise again our Covid-19 Policy.
As it is now mid-winter there aren't any planned Club activities taking place and virtually all members have collected remaining items from Club premises. So below are our key messages:
- The Club premises are closed. Even if we wanted to, the Club is not permitted to be open or to organise any activities under the current restrictions.
- Our first programmed activity is in March - the traditional Working Party to prepare the Hard and Car Park areas for the new season. This will only go ahead if the restrictions permit and we will issue further advice on this nearer the time.
- The regulations require us all to stay at home and only leave home with "reasonable excuse". This includes taking exercise locally once per day.
- The RYA guidance is that private sailing (or other water-based activities) is permitted if this is the way you choose to take your exercise. However, it must take place in a public outdoor space that should be close to your home (i.e. you must stay local) and it must not involve accessing a Club's private premises. You may only exercise with someone from your own household or one other person. You should also abide by the rules on social distancing and not do anything which risks placing a burden on emergency services.
- The Harbour Conservancy have posted a statement that "Recreational boating is contrary to Government guidance and has the potential to place extra strain on emergency services" which clearly discourages any form of boating in the Harbour.
The Club asks all our members to adhere scrupulously to the new rules and, if in any doubt, to err on the side of caution.
It is clear that the challenge to the National Health Service is currently greater than it has been at any time during the pandemic and, irrespective of the fine print, we must all do our utmost to help bring the spread of the virus under control.
Last updated 11:01 on 28 March 2024