The very welcome news that Covid restrictions are lifting according to the Government's roadmap means that we can re-start Social walks in a phased way.

 

Please read the email below from Julie Cribb, our new national Chair. The NEC is allowing us to hold LDWA Social walks as we did late last year, with up to 30 walkers, from 29th March, provided a risk assessment is carried out and recorded for Covid compliance.

 

However, our own experiences with such large numbers were not good. We were approached by locals several times - we made them uneasy. We were asked who we were/where we came from/how come there were so many. One told us she would go another way, feeling vulnerable to infection. Leaders found it difficult to keep groups of 6 separated.

 

This is not what we want, so Wilts committee have decided that from 29th March we will re-start Social walks but with a maximum of 12, in two clearly-separated groups of 6 under two leaders. Covid risk assessments are needed if the total is more than 6. Leaders can decide on numbers up to 12.

 

Steve is ready and eager to post new walks - no need to stick to the Sunday/Thursday format for now. Leaders let's cram as many in as we can. Walkers please book your place with the leader and maybe offer to be a second leader. Please ask Steve, Bruce or me if you need help with formalities.

 

We hope that from 17th May, when Phase 3 of the roadmap is due, we can drop these restrictions and go back to something much more like normal.

 

Enjoy the walks, we want to meet you all again!

 

Graham

Chair, Wilts Committee

 

EMail sent to all Local Group Chairs, Secretaries and Walks Secretaries on behalf of Julie Cribb, Chair, NEC LDWA 

Please share this content with your members and/ or add it to your next newsletters. Thank You.

Further to our last guidance we are pleased to announce that some LDWA social walking activities can commence earlier than anticipated. Please see below for the situation in each of the regions. In all cases strict adherence to the relevant government legislation and guidance applies regarding travel and social distancing. In cases where activities commence the walks must be uploaded to the LDWA website, the walks register completed and uploaded and, in cases where numbers on the walk exceed 6, the walk must be LDWA Covid risk assessed. It is advised that all documentation is carried by the walk leader during the walk, either in paper or digital form.

Guidelines and templates are in the LDWA Toolkit under Social Walks

ldwa.org.uk/library/toolkit.php#SocialWalks

ENGLAND

• Walking can restart in groups of up to 30 from Monday 29 March (but walk leaders can decide on a lower number)
• Walks must be Covid-19 compliant with a risk assessment and delivery plan completed for walks with more than 6 people
• Minimise travel and avoid busy areas (especially over the Easter weekend) and be aware of the impact of activities on landowners/ local residents

SCOTLAND  

• Walking can restart in groups of up to 15 from Monday 29 March
• Walks must be Covid-19 compliant with a risk assessment and delivery plan completed for walks with more than 6 people
• Travel permitted only within local council areas. Please avoid busy areas and beauty spots (especially over the Easter weekend) and be aware of the impact of activities on landowners/ local residents

WALES

• All LDWA activities are currently suspended.

Please bear with us as we continue to work on restarting Challenge events.

Julie Cribb

Chair, LDWA