RYA Northern Ireland calls for safe re-opening of sailing and boating

RYA Northern Ireland calls for safe re-opening of sailing and boating © RYA Northern Ireland

RYA Northern Ireland is calling for sailing and boating venues to be allowed to reopen when restrictions are eased.

The RYANI wrote to the NI Executive on 11 February highlighting that sailing and boating activity can readily comply with social distancing and contributes positively to health and well-being.

In a letter to the Sports Minister, Deirdre Hargey, RYA Northern Ireland's Chief Operating Officer Richard Honeyford said there is a "very strong case to be one of the first activities to be resumed safely, within any necessary parameters to limit the transmission of COVID 19."

He explained that during the course of 2020, sailing and boating clubs and other venues undertook risk assessments and put in place Covid-secure control measures.

In its Pathway to Recovery document, which was released on 3 March, the NI Executive outlined that the approach to further relaxations will likely focus on those activities which are of most benefit to our health and wellbeing, community and the economy and considered to be a lower risk of increasing transmission.

The RYANI believes the case for a gradual reopening of clubs and other facilities would be in keeping with the Executive's approach, with a positive societal and economic impact and low risk of increasing the R rate.