Coronavirus Emergency Measures

Following the Government update on 16 March 2020 and the ongoing situation with COVID-19, all group NAS meetings have been cancelled with immediate effect and will be reviewed on the 30^th June 2020. This is a worldwide unprecedented and challenging time for so many people and of course the health and safety of our members, volunteers, and staff remains our number one priority.

I know many Associations, have taken decisions to cancel plot inspections, seed swaps, association trips, annual judging, scheduled Committee meetings / AGM’s should also be postponed.  It is important that any plotholders over 70 years with underlying health issues follow the guidance and information issued by the government.  It would be a good idea for Associations to give a telephone or email address for anyone with problems to allow contact.

Associations should display a notice, on their boards, it is important that anyone attending the allotment takes care to stay the appropriate distance from others, avoid body contact and wash your hands at taps, do not wash hands or use detergents in the water tanks and please pay attention to notice boards.  It is essential that no unauthorised 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 or with underlying illness issues or  is pregnant.

We are living through a crisis the likes of which none of us has experienced before, never before since war time, has the community spirit that exists on allotment sites been more important.  Please remember to and look out for one another during these very difficult times.

Members should take the following precautionary measures :

• Keep hand sanitiser in your shed and wash your hands regularly
• Use hand sanitiser before opening and closing any gate locks
• Observe “Social Distancing” with each other 2-3 metres
• Do not share tools
• Minimise the contact with each other for example no handshakes
• Do not wash your hands in water troughs
• If you have a toilet on site, please ensure this is cleaned at least twice daily and ensure hand sanitiser is available

• If you have livestock on the site and the restrictions become more severe, take a photograph on your phone of your livestock, based on what is happening in other countries you may 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.

Those Association who operate shops will have to consider what action to take, whether to close totally, allow only one person in at a time, currently accepting cash is not a good idea.  We must all consider vulnerable families, friends and fellow plot-holders and give assistance where needed.

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