After three months of lockdown across the United Kingdom, I am pleased to advise you that the National Executive Committee (NEC) Coronavirus sub-committee has drafted guidelines that will enable social walks to recommence in a limited capacity. The sub-committee has reviewed the guidance provided by the four UK Governments on a weekly basis and has taken the different restrictions in different nations into account when compiling the attached guidelines. It's also important to note that the four Governments' restrictions are under constant review and the sub-committee will review any further changes that might see social walking expanded.

The current guidelines outline that social walking can recommence in England but not Wales or Scotland at this time. In addition, the maximum number of walkers on any social walk can only be six and this must also include the walk leader. As the four Governments' restrictions are eased the guidelines will be amended and updated versions provided to you.

The guidelines have been shared with the LDWA Insurer who has expressed confidence in the guidelines as they reflect the requirements of the four UK Governments.

Whilst we would all like to see life return to normality, we have to adapt according to the restrictions that have been placed upon us for the wider public health of the nation. I therefore hope that you embrace the new guidelines in the spirit in which they have been written. The NEC recognises that the guidelines will not provide the optimum social walking experience but suggests that this is a small step towards recapturing what has been lost to many of our members due to the Coronavirus pandemic.

Thank you for your patience and support.

Yours sincerely,

David Morgan
LDWA Chair

IMPORTANT MESSAGE ABOUT SOCIAL WALKS

The National Executive Committee (NEC) has issued this guidance in response to the guidance announced by the four Governments of the United Kingdom on various dates which is to take effect from 22.06.20.

All LDWA social walks have been suspended since March 2020. The NEC has decided to reintroduce social walks for Local Groups from 22.06.20, subject to the following NEC guidance. The NEC guidance applies to all LDWA social walks in England. The rules currently differ in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.

For Local Groups that wish to commence social walks, the NEC guidance aims to provide a framework which protects walkers and the reputation of the LDWA. However, some Local Groups may decide that the NEC guidance does not enable them to commence social walks until the current COVID situation improves and/or Government advice changes.

Although the NEC has allowed LDWA social walks to restart, this permission will be reviewed if the Government sets new restrictions, e.g. in response to new outbreaks of the virus. Government guidance supersedes all advice given by the NEC and must be followed at all times.

Before the Walk

Walk leaders must ensure they have a copy of this NEC guidance available to brief walkers at the start and to show to any member of the public or official (e.g. police) who asks what you are doing. This will demonstrate that you have thought about what to do in advance.

Walk leaders should take into account any situation when the walk may not go as expected, e.g. the need to support an injured walker whilst maintaining social distancing (see On the Walk below).

Walk leaders must recce a route or an area with which they are familiar and apply a COVID perspective. This includes thinking of how to apply social distancing, how to avoid difficult terrain and how to minimise the use of narrow paths where practical and possible.

Consider routes which have some flexibility to allow for any last minute changes.

The numbers attending each walk should be limited to six walkers, including the walk leader. This is the current limit set by the Government for England. The rules differ in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.

Possible options on how to manage numbers are:

Participants must register in advance with a contact e-mail address provided for registration and only primary members of a local group will be accepted. If the Local Group is concerned that some walkers may turn up without prior registration, the Group may decide to give only general details of the walk initially and give specific details, e.g. start point and time, at registration.

It is not possible to have multiples of six on the same walk, so in order to manage demand, consider hosting a second walk in a different location with another walk leader. Consider using a waiting list to ensure that all members who want to walk are given a chance to do so on different walks.

Please do not attend LDWA social walks if you have recently been diagnosed with or show any COVID-19 symptoms, are awaiting test results or are self-isolating under current Government guidance.

Do not car share unless you are from the same household or part of a permitted ‘bubble' from another household.

On the Walk

• Social distancing (currently set at two metres) should apply throughout the walk between fellow walkers and to avoid members of the public.

• All walkers should consider carrying hand sanitiser (alcohol-based gel), a face covering, gloves, wet wipes and a small first aid kit. The walk leader should consider carrying extra items to use as back-ups.

• Use hand sanitiser if you have to touch communal surfaces, e.g. gates and stiles, and wash your hands at home.

• Bring your own food and drink and, if shops are used, allow time for queuing.

• Public toilets may have restricted access or not be open, so identify appropriate areas for comfort stops.

• Do not share personal items or equipment during a walk.