Clubs still allowing sailing

On a building site:

- Everyone on site is known.  So if an outbreak occurs people are traceable

- While there will be things that need two people in close proximity there will be lots that doesn't

- Lots is open to the air, not a confined space

- You aren't generally putting stuff in your mouth every few minutes

Pubs -

Before they re-open will need to show how they can distance, at least between groups unknown to each other

Will need to show how they would know if an infected person had potentially exposed others

Will need to up their cleaning game

Restaurant pubs - I think can do that, with the help of the app and reduction in seats

Clubby Pubs - drinking, shoulder to shoulder.  Not a hope.

So where does sailing fit in.  On the water - its probably relatively low risk.  Even at the windward mark where in theory you could be less than 2m from a few other people and doubling that on double handers.  But its moments, its open air.  Risks may be higher ashore.  But I'm sure clubs could do something to reduce risks.  (Require enabling tracking app for instance).

But you wont get a "Sailing is OK" ruling. You will get sport is OK in "these conditions."  So team games with contact may not be allowed for longer.  I'd expect some ruling based on "numbers" ideally numbers in a space.   So no sports / exercise requiring more than 1 person in every 4 sq meters would be socially distanced at 2m.   Individual governing bodies could then provide advice on implementation.  It may be that "training" is permitted but competition isn't.  That is effectively what has happened with running and cycling.  If sport involves a ball - need to consider if there is a risk the ball becomes a vector.

I think you can safely say no major sailing Regattas in 2020.  But a club that can cope with hosting 500 sailors may be no less socially distanced than a club that normally thinks 30 boats is a major turnout.  

I expect during May people will start being allowed into Dinghy Parks to check on boats.  In the summer - sailing will be possible.  Racing - not so sure.  But it does depend what happens as restrictions ease.

I doubt you will get a maximum distance to travel to sail.  Is that time, or miles? Is that private car or public transport.  Is that with people you live with or others?  

Other question though - lets say they say you can do the activity provided you install the app.  We will assume everyone puts their phone in the changing rooms rather than on the water.  As the rest of the world returns to something approaching normal, would you want to risk having to fully isolate for 14days if I had the virus and put my phone in the changing room?  Because thats the new risk.  Everyone else will be getting on and earning, socialising (at a distance), etc, but you could be locked away.  That could happen to you several times - because making you isolate doesn't mean you are immune, and you can't test pre-symptoms as you get too many false negatives.

Even if you say "no changing rooms", phones in waterproof cases on boats.  Do you want to be off work (and potentially everyone you live with etc) because you wanted to go for a sail.