West Europe - Guidelines For Group Meetings

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Overland Bound – Western European Region

Guidelines for Group Meetings


As the lockdown eases across the UK we thought it appropriate to issue a statement for members planning on either organising or attending rally points and large group meets.

The official position of OBHQ is that all members should in all instances “follow the local guidelines”.

The covid-19 situation is a fluid one with rules changing all the time and we as your Directors and Representatives will continue to monitor them. In the Western Europe Region we have different rules across the home countries and even different rules within a country’s borders (for example, Leicester in England and Dumfries in Scotland).

From the beginning of July the government and devolved governments eased the guidelines on social distancing and we have paraphrased herein the sections we feel currently apply to our members:

In England:

  • you can meet in groups of up to two households in any location - indoors or outdoors. You do not always have to meet with the same household - you should socially distance from anyone not in your household.
  • In England when you are outside you can continue to meet in groups of up to six people from different households, following social distancing guidelines.
  • Additional businesses and venues, including campsites can open - but these may stay closed where the risks of transmission may be higher
  • you can stay overnight away from your home with your own household or support bubble, or with members of one other household (where you need to keep social distancing)


In Scotland:


  • up to three households can meet up outside with no more than eight people with social distancing.
  • In Scotland campsites can open and wild camping is discouraged.
  • For now campsites are only accepting those who are self sufficient as shared facilities are closed.
  • There is hope that on the 15th July this will also be eased to allow tents
Regardless of what the “rules” say there is also the issue of the spirit of the intent. The United Kingdom is easing restrictions because of economic pressures rather than scientific advice.

It remains the advice to restrict contact as much as possible and continue to follow social distancing.

It is our view that, at this time, meets that are bigger than a few vehicles and people would not constitute a safe environment nor be within the spirit of the legislation. A campsite with 50 pitches with 50 different unrelated families is not the same as club meet where social distancing would become virtually impossible.

With that in mind it is the position of Overland Bound Western Europe that we will not plan or execute any group meets until the lockdown eases further and local guidelines allow and even then, those events are likely to be smaller.

We will however support smaller events held within the current guidelines.

In addition, overlanders like to enjoy rural and isolated locations and we feel it is appropriate to remind members of the potential impact to the local area in the use of shops, facilities and emergency services. Please also don’t assume that because the government says an area is open that the local communities will be happy to see you.

All of this gloomy talk aside please let us reassure you that despite the current crisis we do have one eye on the future and plans are afoot for meetings and activities as soon as it is safe to do so.

We hope you all stay safe and enjoy the summer!
 

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