Saturday 16 May 2020
COVID-19 | MYA Guidance Update
Email from MYA Council
We are continuing to monitor the Coronavirus (Covid-19) outbreak carefully. As the situation develops, please be reassured that our primary concern is the health of our members, clubs, classes and everyone involved in our beloved sport. Our thoughts are with everyone during these challenging times.
All MYA events are currently suspended until further notice.
Our position and guidance for MYA Clubs and members.
The Government in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland have decided the lockdown remains in place so no model yacht sailing is allowed in those countries The Government in England have started to ease lockdown restrictions in a limited manner. Club sailing and gatherings are clearly not possible and whilst individual leisure sailing, maybe meeting up with one other and observing social distancing rules, may be possible at some venues it must be made clear that the MYA liability insurance will be invalid if any laws are breached. (see MYA Insurance below). The decision to sail, or not, remains firmly with individual clubs and their members.
The current Government advice in England is as follows;
Public gatherings
To ensure people are social distancing, the government has prohibited by law all public gatherings of more than two people, except for reasons set out in the regulations. These include:
- where the gathering is of a group of people who live together in the same household – this means that a parent can, for example, take their children to the shops, although you are advised to do so only if there is no option to leave them at home
- where the gathering is essential for work purposes – but workers should try to minimise all meetings and other gatherings in the workplace
There is also Government guidance on accessing green spaces safely. Whilst it mentions sports including boating and sailing the same social distancing rules still apply.
MYA insurance
We have received information from the MYA brokers regarding members insurance as follows;
If a claim is made and the club/member involved is in contravention of the current legal or government regulations then the indemnity provided by the insurance is invalid It is clear the aforementioned advice should not be breached by MYA Clubs or members.
Please keep an eye on our website for further updates. https://mya-uk.org.uk/mya-coronavirus-news-and-guidance/
Author: MYA Digital Communications Officer