working group and survey results Restoration feature: possible ‘quick

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.

running of Canal Camps) Where a consistent Canal Camps season cannot be adequately planned for, weekend / day events would be planned without accommodation options, while additional training opportunities and social meetings virtually would be planned. If permitted some individual Canal Camps could be run, with significant alterations to the existing way we run things.

Option 3: limited circuit of Canal Camps when restrictions allow This is the preferred option for the Working Group and is the current option being planned for, and this is what the rest of this article will concentrate on. So how would we look at running this if circumstances permit?

Work site

Any site WRG works on will need to ensure the following:

·It must be Covid-secure and follow government guidelines · A pre-site induction and sign-in is required · On site guidelines must be followed – including cohort working (this means volunteers staying in the same limited-size work groups), extra sanitisation and signage · Extra welfare provisions

Accommodation

Three options were presented each depending on existing restrictions:

·Option 1: Bespoke Accommodation (individual units) Hiring in sleeping containers for volunteers (2 rooms and basic facilities) – Basic cost of £20,000 for set up including setting up of service should no suitable services be available on site. · Option 2: Mixed Accommodation (hall & camping) Limited spaces inside the accommodation, with camping pitches outside. Marquee for eating in, but catering provided via kitchen. Welfare facilities on site. · Option 3: Village Hall with limited numbers Small camps of a set number of households sharing a traditional accommodation with social distancing in place. Sole use only of facilities must be ensured (ie no bookings by other groups during the week). This option is dependent on current guidelines on indoor household mixing.

Whatever facilities are provided the following rules will be required:

·Kitchen off limits to all volunteers except the Cook/Cook’s Assistant · Face coverings to be worn when walking around the catering area. Well ventilated. · No more than 4-6 at a single table, tables at least 2 metres apart · Source suitable cleaning and disinfection consumables after every sitting · Minimise participant interaction and vectors · One-way system around catering area

Key Considerations

Risk vs Reward: Any proposed works will need to be authorised by the WRG Board and IWA Trustees to release funds to operate. Primary risk is the risk to life, followed by risk to the reputation of canal restoration and of WRG itself. The risk will be assessed at every stage and a proposed timeline is being produced that incorporates monetary commitments, planning requirements and Covid risk. The online survey: comments and suggestions received.

At least as useful as the responses to our questions are the comments and suggestions received. These are a selection –we’ve concentrated on the more ‘WRG-specific’ issues relating to accommodation, catering etc as a fair number of the worksite issues were covered in our previous article based on local canal society responses to an IWA survey (see Navvies 302). Note in several cases similar comments (in particular ‘only take volunteers who have been vaccinated’) were made by a number of respondents. Finally we should put on record that a number of respondents made a point of (a) thanking the WRG Covid Canal Camps Working Group for the time and effort they have put into doing this tricky job and (b) expressing their confidence in WRG’s ability and judgment to do the best to keep volunteers Covid-safe on camp. Site and general:

.I’m not sure any reasonable measures (that wouldn’t make a canal camp miserable) will ever be able to make a camp totally secure. If someone comes to a camp with the virus it seems highly likely that most people they interacted with would leave with it. That said, having shorter camps with separate sleeping areas (e.g. camping) would help reduce the amount of virus that would be spread. . Wait until all volunteers have had both jabs and are free (with proof) to carry on. . Volunteers agree to minimise contact as far as possible in the week beforehand? . I would only be comfortable working alongside volunteers I already know, and I would find it harder to trust others to be honest on Covid paperwork. Perhaps this means a model of day camps, or supporting local groups is best until the virus is under control... we have a lot of volunteers in the high risk categories. . The current travelling to site, accommodation and socialising norms make social distancing impossible/impractical . Ensuring that volunteers wash! In these new times. . As Covid restrictions will be with us for the forseable future, the demonstrable safety record from the first camp will enable future digs to be undertaken with renewed confidence and bring more waterways back into use, that is what it is about after all. . It’s about trust for me. So I suppose working alongside people I already knew and felt confident in would help. . If possible Covid test. Check temperatures each day before work commencing. . If everyone had been vaccinated including me it a “Yes” to attend. Otherwise it’s a “No”

Accommodation:

.Somehow dividing up large (bed) rooms to allow a number of occupants yet restrict as much as possible potential transmission of the virus. Perhaps individual indoor tents? . Unfortunately I think any arrangements where you’re breathing the same air as someone else overnight are going to be problematic. . Marking the floor with 2m spacing in corridors, implementing one way systems . Planned visit to a covid test centre at end of camp? (To prove we’ve all been careful enough, and are safe to go home to family...) . Approach Snooze box and see if they would donate some units for use. These were used during the London Olympics and are used on the F1 Circuit. . Space to pitch our own tents for sleeping? . The main challenge would be the difficulty in ensuring that ALL volunteers stick to the code. Presumably using the usual system of a verbal warning/eject them from camp as a last resort.

Volunteers: It was noted that the survey results showed that those who responded trusted WRG’s health and safety precautions and would understand whatever decision the organisation made regarding running Canal Camps. All volunteers would be expected to sign up to a code of conduct and understand they will be putting themselves in a higher risk situation. There would be no reasonable expectation for any volunteers to be co-opted into support activities at all, especially during the Covid pandemic.

Covid on Camp: What should the response be if Covid infection were introduced to the camp during the course of the event? The working group would require all volunteers to ensure they would have ways of returning home safely should there be a case of Covid on the camp. If they arrived by public transport, an external individual would need to be arranged to return that volunteer home. More work and guidance would be required on the response prior to any decision to be presented to the Board.

Further discussion: The group decided that it is too early to fully confirm Canal Camps for the July – September dates currently being considered; the earliest a decision can be made will be at the 14 March meeting. Catering:

.Disposable plates bowls and cutlery, or bring our own. . Marking 2m spacing. Providing outdoor eating areas with roof cover/eat in marquees. Wash up outdoors (basically camping arrangements) . Provide my own meals . Covid test for cook and anyone involved in food prep . As the kitchen staff are to be in their own ‘bubble’ suggest they have different eating times to the work party.

Socialising:

.I’m not convinced the rule of 6 would be followed by everyone . Sorry to say, but some kind of limit on alcohol. It’s a friendly bunch who generally have known each other a long time. Late night drinking is likely to lead to increased rule breaking. And decreased likelihood of it being addressed / mentioned to those who weren’t involved to take appropriate action. Drinking curfew? 10pm? . Social side is the reason I love WRG, can’t imagine it being the same as it was anytime soon. . Make facilities outdoors . This wouldn’t be enjoyable for new volunteers as they would be stuck within a group of 6 for a week. I suggest the model of technical camps for volunteers who already know each other and have already formed groups (KESCRG, London WRG, Forestry) would be best for 2021. . Need to consider the wishes of the village if 18 strangers arrive for a week and ‘invade’ local facilities, pub etc. Very difficult to keep camp apart if two groups of six go to the pub and relax . Might have to stop people wandering off to the pub and mixing with others there. . I think it would be very important to make sure each accommodation has good broadband and internet access. This is not normally an issue as socialising can be done more closely and visits to pubs. etc provide internet access. It is unlikely this will be the case this year. Effective internet access in the accommodation would allow for pairs and larger groups to play games, etc together on-line and for WRGies to be able to stay in touch better with families and keep abreast of the news and changing Covid requirements.

Any other comments?

.I wonder whether “commuter” camps could work, based in easy to get to places (like Lichfield, Stroud) and people arrange their own accommodation in the near vicinity and supply their own food? Obviously makes it more expensive to attend but I still would . Very difficult to plan for 2021 with continual changes in the situation so a good degree of flexibility needs to be built in where practical . If camps still need to be organised with the detailed control measures I probably wouldn’t book; not because I’d be worried about the risk of infection, but because I usually go for the social elements and to meet new people as much as the ‘work’ - the control measures and smaller camps could limit that too much. . Is it practicable to fit Perspex screens between the rows of seats in your red vans to reduce the risk? . It just doesn’t sound like much fun . Anything less than everyone vaccinated is a much higher risk with serious consequences. If someone caught the virus just before attending and symptoms appeared after arriving I can see that throwing all future camps into the bin. . I think that having a repetitive offer of long weekend day-digs might be a solution that isn’t described above. Non locals could use Travelodge or camp sites if wanting to stay, and alleviates WRG of evening risks (cooking and socialising).