It’s hard to believe that just a few months ago the impending situation that we are racing towards was not even a news story. We were looking forward to 2020 with a new booking agent, a new web site and renewed vigour. Bookings were strong, probably the best we had seen.
Fast
forward to March and bookings have flatlined and we can’t buy soap or toilet
rolls and even the chiller aisles of Sainsburys are regularly bare as people
strip the shelves in their own self-interest.
Understandably,
many people are worried and anyone who isn’t probably doesn’t have a decent
grasp of the reality that is unfolding across Europe and the rest of the world.
One look at the crisis in Italy should tell you everything you need to know
about how Covid-19 is turning families and society inside out. I often invite
comment on this blog (rarely get much), but in this instance, if you are living
in some kind of fantasy land where the sign on the gates says “It’s just flu,
why panic?”, please keep your opinions to yourselves.
Certainly,
our own government has been positively pedestrian in its reactions in both
health and economic sectors, though as this blog has been written over a few
days, new measures are emerging that begin to address the worries that normal
people have rather than focusing on big businesses which is what Westminster
started out doing.
There
is a great deal of chatter about holidays right now and, naturally, people are
wondering what is happening. Here’s the truth; we don’t know. We are asking as
many questions as you and we are not being given any more information than you;
we are watching the same news channels. The situation in London is unfolding rapidly
and the city looks as though it will be on lockdown very soon. A terrible
situation that may well spread throughout the country.
As
a small business having seen our bookings fall off a cliff-edge in the last two
weeks, we are stuck for decent compromises. March is usually the month that we
see bookings really take off. Instead, they have dropped to virtually nothing
and our cashflow has become outbound as though it were November or December. As
the pandemic ramps up in the UK, I doubt that we will see bookings return until
the peak weeks of infection are behind us and, frankly, I can’t blame people.
Guidelines
You
will read words like “following current government guidelines” so much over the
coming weeks that you will be wishing the news was all about Brexit again;
perhaps you already do.
We
remain open at the moment and, obviously, will close if told to.
We
are following government guidelines because we can’t not, but we are really
overdoing it in some areas because, frankly, some of the guidelines are so
woolly and open to interpretation that they could be useless if implemented
wrong.
In
case you have missed the guidelines, there’s a list of web sites to visit at
the end of this blog. I could have included them in the body but I would hate
to think anybody would be tempted away from my ramblings just yet.
In
addition to the usual spiel you can read in thousands of business’ responses to
the coronavirus, most of which repeat Government guidelines, here’s what we are
doing over and above to protect you and us at this time.
- All
lifejackets are sprayed with an anti-bacterial spray once they are
returned to us and then hung to dry, and where possible, jackets are
rotated out of use for 72 hours.
- We
have obtained cleaning products (due for delivery by 21st March
2020) that are proven to be effective against the novel coronavirus. All
boats will be protected using this spray which is not a cleaning agent but
a specific product to be used after normal cleaning has taken place. The
protection that this product offers can remain active for up to seven days,
if treated properly. All holidaymakers will be advised of how to keep the
protection alive. Our biggest problem is that supplies of this product are
limited for obvious reasons and being rationed.
- All
laundry will be washed at higher temperatures. However, for everyone’s
protection, we would prefer you to bring your own bedding during these
extraordinary times. We are sorry, but we will no longer be offering towel
hire and refunds will be given as necessary.
- We are
frequently wiping down commonly touched surfaces with suitable products
and this includes door handles and commonly used areas of doors (both
around the boatyard and on boats that have bookings), our reception desk,
clipboards etc.
- Social distancing is clearly an issue and we will be asking groups of people to not enter reception all at once. Boat tuition will also be affected for the same reason. We will continue to give people the highest possible level of tuition, but may have to limit the number of people that receive this in larger groups in the most practical ways achievable at the time.
Delays
Some
of our protection measures are likely to cause delays at reception and during
handovers. As one of us falls within the “at risk” category from coronavirus,
we will also be short-staffed in reception and hand-over duties. Your patience
will be appreciated. But you can help with the smooth flow at reception. Here’s
a few pointers:
- Where
boat availability permits, we will prepare them earlier and call people
some days before their arrival to see if we can create a schedule for
arrivals that keeps different groups apart and allows a smother flow of
people in and out on boats. We appreciate that this may be difficult with
unknowns like traffic delays, but it's one option available to us. You
will need to tell us if you are delayed.
- If
there is a queue, please exercise social distancing or perhaps wait in
your car.
- Make
sure you have got any deposits you need to pay ready. Remember, all our
deposits are cash. As much as we would prefer not to handle cash right
now, our card processing supplier will not allow us to take and refund
deposits and so this remains a non-negotiable point. If you are
a group of people each having to pay a security deposit, please ensure you
know how much the total of deposits is and ensure you have this as one sum
before coming into reception. Waiting for “Dave” to arrive with his
deposit will delay you.
- Make
sure you have your food and drink supplies with you. Please don’t arrive
and expect to pop into Sainsburys to stock up on provisions; this will
delay the reception and handover/induction process which we may defer to
the next day if you are late. Also, be aware that our local supermarkets
have been subject to panic buying, just like yours; the shelves have been
quite empty.
- We
will try to be as accommodating as possible, but please do not expect us
to open the boatyard earlier or later than our advised opening times, especially
if you are late yourselves. Any arrival after 5pm must expect to have
their boat induction delayed until the next day, especially if you have
not informed us you will be late. Remember, you are not legally allowed to
pilot the boat after sunset, so late arrivals at the yard will likely
delay your departure until the next morning after a full hand-over.
- Bring
enough provisions for the entirety of your stay. As people are advised to
not visit pubs, you may find them closing their doors and there aren’t
many easily accessible convenience stores (and that’s not because of the
current virus situation, more because of the economic situation of the
last decade). I am sure that many pubs will be happy to cook dinner for
you and deliver it to your boat, but please confirm this directly with
your chosen hostelries. Bring predominantly non-perishable goods; some
boat fridges are a good size, but most are quite small.
- Bring
plenty of bottled water as the water on the boat is stored in tanks and
you are advised not to drink it without boiling first.
- Bring
your own soap. We are struggling to obtain it just like you.
- Toilet
Rolls. Well what can we say? We have a small stock and will continue to
provide one roll per boat toilet whilst we can. Please bring your own.
Once you are down to just the Izal, it’s time for handstands in the shower
rather than block your boat loos…..
- Prepare
any questions before you arrive; ideally email them to us with a couple of
days’ notice if you cannot find the answers on our web site.
DO
NOT COME IF YOU OR ANYBODY IN YOUR PARTY OR YOU LIVES AT HOME WITH YOU (EVEN IF
THEY ARE NOT COMING)
- has developed a new, persistent cough
- has a fever
Please let us know if anybody on board the boat or back at home develops symptons during your holiday or in the 14 days after your holiday so we can take necessary steps and precautions to help prevent the spread of the virus.
Government travel advice
As
of 18th March 2020, government advice is against travel on
public transport and engaging in foreign travel.
Mr
Johnson also said that “non-essential travel” should be avoided. Sorry, but I
really am not sure what this means any more than the next person; it is as
woolly as many other messages from Westminster at this time. Your guess is as
good as ours as to whether this means anything or is just waffle. Some would
suggest that holidays are non-essential, others would argue strongly the other
way. As we might all be facing a significant period of going nowhere, I would
argue that some kind of break was pretty essential but I won’t debate this
point as you are entitled to your opinions.
Changes around the Broads
The
following is accurate as at 19th March 2020.
Pubs: Most
pubs appear to be open currently with the exception of The Locks at Geldeston
where Grain Brewery has stated it is closing all its pubs for the time
being.
Yacht
Stations: The Broads Authority is opening Reedham and Great
Yarmouth Yacht Stations due to safety concerns. Norwich Yacht Station will not
be open or staffed. Beccles and Oulton Broads yacht stations are open.
Links
NHS
advice for coronavirus - https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/
Government
advice - https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-stay-at-home-guidance
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