Covid-19 Guidance for TYHA & British Marine Members

British Marine has released the following guidance for marina operators designed to assist readers in supporting the nation’s focus to fight COVID-19.

The single most important action we can all take, in fighting coronavirus, is to stay at home in order to protect the NHS and save lives. When we reduce our day-to-day contact with other people, we will reduce the spread of the infection. That is why the government is now (23 March 2020) introducing three new measures, which requiring people to stay at home, except for very limited purposes; the closing non-essential shops and community spaces; and stopping all gatherings of more than two people in public

It is therefore strongly recommended that you advise your berth holders to stay at home and follow the governments directive. The following Q&A’s should help you better understand what we know/understand and will help contextualise the flow diagram on the attached document.

What is the definition of Essential Services?

The UK Government has not specified what are Essential Services, instead they have identified what they consider to be Non-Essential Services which can be found in this document.

Should we shut our marinas to leisure berth holders?

We have asked the UK Government and their response was that marinas should be treated the same way as caravan parks which have been directed to close. Recognising that marinas include other services and operations, we have put together a flow diagram on this document to help you.

How do we treat residential moorers?

We have asked the UK Government and their response was: “On (regarding) residents staying on site, there is no explicit guidance on this for Marinas, but we think that to interpret yourselves in the same way as caravan parks seems like a sensible approach.”

As follows: Where people live permanently in caravan parks or are staying in caravan parks as interim abodes where their primary residence is not available, they may continue to do so. 

If the UK goes into full lockdown, can marinas maintain skeleton staffing to maintain essential infrastructure and keep the site secure?

We have asked the UK Government a number of times and have not had an official response to the question. Our interpretation however is that it would be acceptable and sensible to have a minimal staff presence at the marina site to maintain security and monitor essential services. Should this be necessary it is essential that the health of staff is prioritised, that full risk assessments are conductedand appropriate PPE provided.

For more information, please see the attached document.

Image: Rebekah Little at Unsplash