Covid - 19 Easing restrictions and getting back on the water
BOSS Sailing - Government roadmap for easing of lockdown restrictions
The government recently announced the 4 step plan to bring the UK out of lockdown at a safe and steady pace. This is welcome news and whilst sailing courses will not resume straight away, as each stage is reached more sailing activities will become available again. We are certainly looking forward to a return to "normal" sailing activities later this year
Set out below are details of the government’s relevant key points for each step, with tentative dates for the further easing of restrictions. We have also clarified what courses will be available at BOSS at each stage.
It takes around four weeks for the data to show the impact of easing restrictions and the Government will provide a further weeks’ notice to the public and businesses ahead of any further changes. For that reason, there will be at least five weeks between the stages in the road map. The indicative, ‘no earlier than’ dates in the road map are all contingent on the data and subject to change.
The four conditions that must be met at each phase of lockdown easing are:
- The coronavirus vaccine programme continues to go to plan.
- Evidence shows vaccines are sufficiently reducing the number of people dying with the virus or needing hospital treatment.
- Infection rates do not risk a surge in hospital admissions.
- New variants of the virus do not fundamentally change the risk of lifting restrictions.
The gap between each stage of restrictions being eased is expected to be five weeks.
The first stage of easing will be split into two parts on the 8th & 29th March:
Stage 1
From 8 March - All schools will open with outdoor after-school sports and activities allowed. Recreation in a public space - such as a park - will be allowed between two people, meaning they would be allowed to sit down for a coffee, drink or picnic.
Sailing Available
RYA sailing centres are not classed as schools (in the educational sense) or colleges of higher education. As such, we will remain unable to offer practical sailing courses on the 8th March.
One to one practical training can take place on a non live aboard day sailing only basis. This means one person can be taught onboard a yacht by an instructor. Unfortunately this does not include other family members.
from 29 March - Up to six people or two households will be allowed to meet outdoors. From 29 March - Outdoor gatherings of either six people or two households will be allowed. It is understood this will include gatherings in private gardens. Outdoor sports facilities such as tennis or basketball courts will reopen and organised adult and children's outdoor sport, such as grassroots football, will also return.
A change in the governments messaging: from “Stay at Home” to “Stay Local” and overnight stays will definitely not be permitted.
Sailing Available
Practical training courses can take place on a non live aboard day sailing only basis, for those who live locally.
Stage 2
No earlier than 12th April
Social contact rules in England will not change further at this point. Outdoor gatherings must still be limited to 6 people or 2 households as in Step 1, and no indoor mixing will be allowed.
Overnight stays away from home in this country will be permitted in self-contained accommodation. Facilities that do not require shared use of bathing, entry/exit, catering or sleeping facilities - can also reopen, though these must only be used by members of the same household.
This must also be accompanied by mitigations including workforce testing and continued social distancing guidance.
Sailing Available
Practical training courses can take place on a non liveaboard day sailing only basis, for those who live locally, or within a reasonable daily commute, or who have self-contained accommodation booked.
Stage 3
No earlier than 17th May
In all sectors, COVID-Secure guidance will remain in place.
Accommodation, such as hotels, hostels and B&Bs can open.
At stage 3, the Government will further ease limits on social contact, enabling the public to make informed personal decisions. It will remain important for people to consider the risks for themselves, taking into account whether they and those they meet have been vaccinated, or are at greater risk.
As soon as possible, and no later than Step 3, the government will update its advice on social distancing between friends and family. Until then, people should continue to keep their distance from anyone not in their household or support bubble and keep up habits such as regular hand washing and letting in fresh air.
Indoors, people will be able to meet socially in a group of 6, or with 1 other household, though it may be possible to go further than this at Step 3 depending on the data. People will be asked to follow guidance on how to meet safely, for example by minimising the size of gatherings and meeting outdoors where possible.
Some large events, including conferences, theatre and concert performances and sports events. Controlled indoor events of up to 1,000 people or 50% of a venue’s capacity,
Sailing and Shorebased Courses Available
Classroom courses with a maximum group size of 6 can resume.
All practical training courses can take place on a non liveaboard day sailing only basis.
Stage 4
No earlier than the 21st June
With appropriate mitigations in place, by Step 4, the Government aims to remove all legal obligations to limit social contact.
Sailing Available
All classroom based courses
Practical training courses can take place on a fully residential basis
Fully residential DofE Expeditions and Youth Courses can resume.
UK Cruises will commence
NOTES
We would reiterate that the governments decisions on easing restrictions will be led by data rather than specific dates. Our plan for opening up sailing courses again has been drawn up with the government instructions in mind whilst maintaining our priority to ensure the safety of staff and customers. We understand that everyone is keen to get back out on the water and we will attempt to run our courses as scheduled, some changes may be necessary however if the stages are delayed.. We love talking about your sailing plans but please do not ask us to bend the rules or break the law for you. Also, remember that the restrictions on un-necessary travel are still currently in place.
With the longer term uncertainly still surrounding overseas travel and restrictions on numbers in classrooms, we have regrettably decided to suspend all RYA Basic Sea Survival courses and all non-UK based cruises until June 2021 (subject to review).