13 May Covid-19 update 13th May
How to exercise in the South Devon National Landscape, protecting yourself and local communities
From 13th May the Government has moved away from the ‘Stay at Home’ message to ‘Stay Alert – Protect the NHS – Save Lives.’ With this change of messaging comes new guidelines on spending time outdoors.
You can find full details of what you are able to do in this new phase of the lockdown on the Government website. You will see from these guidelines that staying in a second home, camper van or camping is still NOT permitted.
If you plan to visit the National Landscape in the coming weeks, we ask you to be considerate in the way you visit to protect yourself and local communities, so we can all do our bit to control the spread of Covid-19.
- Follow the Governments updated guidance to spending time outdoors safely and exercise within your limitations to keep pressure off local resources
- When heading to the coast please bear in mind RNLI advice. Check the weather and tides, keep an eye on your family and don’t use inflatables. https://bit.ly/RNLI_Be_Beach_Safe
- Please also follow the Countryside Code
- Avoid busy locations –if large numbers of people all head to the same place, it becomes impossible to safely socially distance, putting you, your family and others at risk.
- Our farmers have been working hard to maintain food supplies during the pandemic. Support them and our communities by leaving gates as you find them, sticking to the path.
- Please keep dogs on the lead and take your litter home.
- Please do not light fires or barbecues
- Respect the plants and wildlife which have thrived during lockdown. This is a critical time for ground-nesting birds and other wildlife some of which has discovered new territory.
- Wash your hands regularly – bring hand/sanitising gel with you, as there are limited facilities for hand washing and use it after touching shared surfaces e.g. gates and stiles when walking on paths
- Many people in the local community are in vulnerable groups and still need to self-isolate. While walking, please keep a safe distance from homes, schools, and farms.
- Travel sustainably: If you can, journey on foot or bike. This means you experience the wonderful scenery of the National Landscape en route and you don’t have to worry about finding a car parking space.
- Stay two metres apart, keep within your family/household groups, and avoid gathering in villages where many of the shops and services remain closed.
- Be kind and considerate to one another.
Please bear in mind that the vast majority of facilities – including cafés, hospitality businesses, public toilets and some car parks are currently closed
The National Landscape Team
The National Landscape team is still working at home and conducting meetings remotely. Most events have been postponed or cancelled to safeguard everyone involved.
We can be contacted in the normal way via emails or phone, the main office number has an answerphone which we can access although we are unable to receive post.
We look forward to welcoming you back when the time is right!
