A break from Covid-19 – beach, boat or banned?

We’re all looking for ways to make the next few months bearable, but given what’s happening around the world, and following the decisions taken by other countries, how long do we have left to get to the beach, or on our boat?

Organised sport is shutting down across the UK. Races, training and social events have been cancelled in a flurry of ‘regretfully’ emails. However, underlying this, there is a definite move towards encouraging individuals to get out on the water. Earlier this week the RYA suspended organised activity, but Alistair Dickson, Director of Sport Development says: “While we have brought these measures in to adhere to government advice on limiting the spread of coronavirus, it doesn’t mean that people can’t go sailing at all. In fact, getting out on the water can be a great way to look after your physical and mental health in these challenging times.”

Open for business

The optimism is gaining traction. Sailing clubs that remain open are issuing instructions for use of premises (some have closed social areas, others are encouraging people to change at home), plus following the well-known protocols of hygiene and social (dinghy park) distancing.  The wider marine industry is issuing communiques about being busy staying open for business wherever it can.

However, as we’re told on a nightly basis, the UK only needs to look to other countries to see what’s coming our way.

Beach bans

In many countries across Europe (and worldwide), going to the beach has been restricted — which means surfing is off the cards for the foreseeable, according to Magicseaweed.com which spoke to a surfer currently in Italy.

“The Italian ban is not specific to surfing and not clear at all in terms of what you can actually do outdoors,” says Nik Zanella, surfer.

“Walking the dog is ok, running (without using a car to go to the park or place you want to run) is ok, and there’s a specific ban on beaches, piers and docks.

“Now, people have been fined by the thousands for riding a bicycle without a valid reason and SUPing has been stopped too. When you get fined you pay 209 euro and then it goes on your record.

“The [Italian] government is apparently willing to implement this new measure until April 3 but frankly, I don’t see it getting any better in this short span of time,” says Nik.

While the UK’s not looking at the Italian ‘lockdown’ situation yet, it’ll be hard for our government to miss the controversy raging in the USA about whether beach-goers should be banned in a time of social distancing and spring break, with California and Florida introducing measures. That said, we don’t yet have the weather for celebratory mass gatherings. But from today we do have the people,  as our teenagers find themselves with no exams to revise for, no plans and no jobs in their traditional transitional low-pay, low-skill roles.

Life on board

Most of the UK marinas remain open. But, with self (and household) isolation numbers growing, marina operators are urging boat owners to rethink isolating at marinas.

“Boats are not the best place to self-isolate as inevitably those people will be coming off their boats to use the washroom facilities and that kind of thing. So we say, please consider the situation and we suggest that home is the safest place to self-isolate,” says Simon Haigh, Operations Director, Dean & Reddyhoff and Quay Marinas.

“A lot of marinas have a few people who live on their boats, it’s their home. We are maintaining a degree of service for those groups. But, if someone’s in isolation there’s a broader concern of them using the facilities. And that’s an issue we’re currently risk-assessing, and how we deal with it.

“People are entitled to visit their boats of course, but we are taking all precautionary measures. We are restricting access to receptions and trying to make sure that everyone is in a position to stay a safe distance away from each other. We’re asking people to respect Government advice.”

Out to sea?

A recent campaign by the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) reminded the nation it’s an emergency service, so what strains is Covid-19 placing on them?

A spokesperson says the agency “is continuing to work closely with industry partners and stakeholders and following Government advice and guidance amid the ongoing Covid-19 situation.” It was unable – at time of publishing – to comment on whether the MCA was ready to tell people to stop going to sea (unless essential) and thus placing strain on a potentially depleted workforce.

Survival

The government is finally talking about the other side of the pandemic, getting back to a new normality, looking to the opportunity afforded by knowing who’s had the virus and is theoretically safe to re-join society. China reports it’s had no new cases, and control measures elsewhere in the world are offering lessons on a daily basis. But we’re still weeks behind in terms of virus spread and as such, no one will be surprised if our restrictions get worse before they get better. Make the most of the beach, and your boat, while you can. And if the ban happens? Get dreaming and shopping and making plans for when it lifts.