NEWS ©GTogwell
England’s Covid-19 Response Road Map
On the 22nd of February, the British Prime Minister, Boris Johnson, set out his ‘Covid-19 Response Road Map’ for Spring, issuing important dates which will lead England out of lockdown. These dates will be subject to ongoing regular assessment of cases and a four test strategy. For boaters the guidance is confusing with the 8th of March seeing the return of outdoor recreation, overnight stays still not permitted in England and the ‘Stay at Home’ guidance remaining in place at until the 29th of March. Whilst awaiting for more detailed boating-related guidance to be released, it is Motorboat Owner’s interpretation that leisure day boating may be permissible with household members during this March period whilst travelling locally, with consideration of Covid impact and possible implications to rescue services. However, the key date for boating in England is the 12th of April. This date could, subject to government Covid case assessments, mark a full return to boating, with overnight stays to be permitted in England with household members, then with one other household or in a group of no more than 6 from the 17th of May. At the time of writing, Scotland, Ireland, Northern Ireland and Wales remain ‘locked down’ under ‘Stay at Home’ guidance. Boaters in England and other regions can refer to government guidance and the regularly updated Coronavirus pages on the Royal Yachting Association (RYA) website. The RYA said, ‘whilst we are all disappointed not to be able to make a full return to normal boating activity sooner’, saying it will ‘remain engaged with officials on the safe return to water in each devolved nation’. the RYA added “In the coming days we will be reviewing the detailed regulations as they are published, in order to update our members, clubs and centres.” See www.rya.org.uk for details. 6
March 2021
