canal camps and Covid? Given its particular way of operating - in particular catering, transport and accommodation - how might WRG be able to run any canal camps in 2021? Covid Canal Camps Working Group Update On 31 January Waterway Recovery Group’s Covid Canal Camp Working Group presented its findings to the WRG Committee and Board. To summarise: the Working Group favoured moving forward, should the Covid situation return to a similar scenario to Summer 2020, on a simplified approach to running week-long Canal Camps where WRG could ensure a Covidsecure site and accommodation, and ensure appropriate contingencies are put in place. The group discussed three options to consider for 2021: Option 1: No Canal Camps Should the situation regarding Covid not improve and/or procedures are not in place, the working group would advise that no Canal Camp activities take place in 2021. This option would be a ‘worst case scenario’ where the risk outweighs the benefit of running events or delaying Canal Camps until 2022 or later in the year. Option 2: blended approach (local digs, weekend digs, centrally booked events, minimal
Covid-secure canal camps: the online survey Initial question: Would you like to attend a Canal Camp in 2021?
Later question after explaining some of the proposals in this article: After reading our plans for Covid-secure Canal Camps in 2021 if rules allow you to go on holiday would you attend a Canal Camp?
Other results included: 93% willing to sign up to a code of conduct (1% unwilling, 6% undecided); 84% happy working in a team of 6 on site (1%, 15%); 78% prepared to share washing facilities (10%, 12%); a preference for medium sized camps of up to 12 people rather than small camps of 6 or full camps of 18; a strong preference for individual rooms in accommodation; and willingness to attend rising to 89% (1% unwilling, 10% undecided) if we had individual sleeping units with their own toilet and shower.
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