Coronavirus Emergency Measures
UPDATED 01/04/2020 – Driving to the Plot
The government is presently advising the population to stay at home and practice social distancing, whilst being allowed to take one form of exercise a day. If working your allotment is to carry on being seen as legitimate exercise then it is imperative that plot-holders follow all the guidelines, allotment sites are as risky as anywhere else.
Although it is perfectly OK and within government guidelines to visit the plot as a household. We think that now is the time to consider working your plot in isolation i.e. not with household members and if you can stay away for a few weeks to do so.
It is vitally important that you follow all the advice about social distancing and hygiene in the points below and not gather together on site.
Driving to the plot, we are aware that in recent days there has been conflicting statements from police forces about driving to your plot. A briefing has now been issued from the College of Policing and the National Police Chief’s Council that advises forces to :-
Use your judgement and common sense; for example, people will want to exercise locally and may need to travel to do so, we don’t want the public sanctioned for travelling a reasonable distance to exercise. We should reserve enforcement only for individuals who have not responded to Engage, Explain, and Encourage, where public health is at risk.
If you need to drive a reasonable distance to get to your plot then this guidance would suggest that it is permissible to do so. However, please walk to the plot if at all possible
Any plot-holder who is self isolating because a household member is ill with corona-virus should not be visiting the site.
Members should take the following precautionary measures :
Keep hand sanitiser in your shed and wash your hands regularly
Use hand sanitiser before opening and after closing any gate locks
Wash hands when you get home
DO NOT gather together for a chat even if you are 2 metres apart CLICK HERE for guidance
Observe “Social Distancing” with each other 2-3 metres
If you take your children to the plot, ensure that they stay within its confines and do not run around on communal paths and spaces.
Do not share tools
Minimise the contact with each other for example no handshakes
Do not wash your hands in water troughs
We recommend that all communal facilities are closed
Bonfires – Could those Associations who allow bonfires all year round ask people to consider their neighbours and not burn anything during this covid19 emergency. Many sites are surrounded by houses where vulnerable people may be getting their only bit of fresh air through an open window.
If you have livestock on the site and must visit twice a day, take a photograph on your phone of your livestock, based on what is happening in other countries you may eventually have to print off a government form to leave the house but if challenged it would be good to be able to show a photograph of where you are going.
Plan ahead to ensure that you have food and medication delivered to you during this time.
Stay away from vulnerable individuals such as the elderly and those with underlying health conditions as much as possible
If you display any symptoms of coronavirus stay at home and self-isolate for at least 14 days or until symptoms have passed.
It is essential that no un-authorised people are allowed onto the plots for the duration of this emergency, if you do wish to bring someone to assist with work on the plot, please ensure that that this is notified either to Secretary or Site Manager. Careful consideration should be given to introducing anyone over 70, those with underlying illness or pregnant women.
It is important that any plot-holders over 70 years and those with underlying health issues follow the guidance and information issued by the government.
We are living through a crisis, the likes of which none of us has experienced before, not since war time has the community spirit that exists on allotment sites been more important. We must all consider vulnerable families, friends and fellow plot-holders and give assistance where needed. Please remember to look out for one another during these very difficult times.
Government advice about the Coronavirus is updated on a regular basis at this link.
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/coronavirus-covid-19-information-for-the-public
For NHS information and advice CLICK HERE
