Wednesday 24 June 2020

LOCKDOWN ROUTE MAP CHARTS PATH FOR COUNTRY SPORTS SEASONS

Today, the Scottish Government published its indicative timetable for lifting further Lockdown restrictions, offering real hope that country sports seasons can take place this year.
Members can read the full route map, here: https://www.gov.scot/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-scotlands-route-map-indicative-dates-remainder-phase-2-early-phase-3/
but a summary table is posted below.
Whilst overseas travel restrictions remain in place currently, the easing of lockdown restrictions on travel and accommodation, from phased dates in July, should allow for UK-based sporting activity such as deer stalking and game shooting to go ahead with social distancing and hygiene measures in place.
Local angling, which returned at Phase 1, will be opened up further to UK-based sportsmen and women with accommodation facilities and hospitality re-opening, albeit with new health and distancing requirements.
Scottish Gamekeepers Association Chairman Alex Hogg said: "Today's announcement will be a major relief to those working in our sector, who were facing the very real and daunting prospect of tens of millions of pounds potentially flooding out of businesses in small and remote rural communities due to Covid-19.
"Providing the virus remains in check, there is now a tangible hope that the sector can salvage what it can from a trying year and also help to propel economic recovery in small communities for the range of businesses and trades which benefit from shooting. This will be important because the data already shows that rural communities will be disproportionately disadvantaged by the pandemic.
"We will await to see what will happen with overseas visitors, who make up a significant chunk of clientele, but this offers some light at the end of the tunnel."