Dear Member
I am sure that you have all seen the announcement from the government that we are all now in lockdown. This lockdown necessarily prohibits our ordinary daily movements and it will affect each one of us in our ordinary daily lives.
There have been discussions, mainly by email in the circumstances, between the Directors and the General Committee in order to come to a decision as to what we should do at our Club in light of the announcement last night and we have come to the following decisions:
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All Club members are strongly discouraged from visiting the Club premises for any reason whatsoever and they should observe the government guidelines regarding social distancing and lockdown;
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The Club Ship (including the bathroom facilities) is now closed to all members and staff;
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The boatyard is closed for members to do any further work on their yachts unless it is absolutely necessary and time critical. If need be, this can be arranged in advance with me);
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No lifts until further notice (anyone who had a lift booked will be first in line once we are available to lift again);
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The pontoons will not be locked and members are able to go and check their boats if necessary; and
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These measures will remain in place until further notice from the government.
I would like to stress that these measures are proposed to ensure the health and safety of all Club members, in line with government advice, and to prevent any members from using the Club as a diversion when they are supposed to be in lockdown.
I understand that there may be a feeling amongst some members that this level of lockdown for us is not necessary. This is not the case. There is a very good reason that the country has been put into lockdown and the police have been given powers to impose sanctions for non compliance. These measures will not be in place forever and I therefore ask and strongly encourage all members to observe the conditions of the lockdown carefully and not to come to the Club unless there is an absolute necessity. We will review these measures again when there is any further announcement from the government.
I know that this decision will be an inconvenience to all Club members; just as being in lockdown is an inconvenience for everyone. However, inconvenience is not a justification to deviate from what we must do in these extraordinary circumstances. I certainly would not wish to be responsible for an outbreak of coronavirus at the Club because I visited unnecessarily at this time.
If you have any queries in relation to this then please do not hesitate to contact either myself or the Vice Commodore on our Club email addresses.
Best wishes and stay safe,
Peter
P.J. Gay
Commodore
