The government’s priority is to save lives and the best way to protect yourself and others from illness is to stay at home.
However, exercise is still important for people’s physical and mental wellbeing, so the government has said people can leave their homes for exercise once a day.
The guidelines are for you to exercise from your home rather than driving somewhere to exercise. If you are lucky enough to have the countryside on your doorstop please remember to follow the Countryside Code such as closing gates and keeping dogs under control.
The risk of the coronavirus being passed on to others from people using public rights of way and other paths and trails is considered to be very low as long as people follow the Government’s instructions to maintain social distancing however please remember that most public rights of way pass through gardens, farms and schools.
Landowners do not have the legal right to block or obstruct public rights of way. However, in very limited circumstances where large numbers of people are using such routes, landowners may consider the following measures:
- tying gates open if it is safe to do so, so that walkers do not need to touch the gate.
- temporarily displaying polite notices that encourage users to respect local residents and workers by following social distancing guidelines and consider using alternative routes that do not pass through gardens, farmyards or schools.
Therefore if you are enjoying Lancashire’s beautiful countryside this weekend please:
Ensure you keep at least 2 metres away from other people
Hand wash/sanitise after touching any shared surfaces, e.g. stiles/gates.
Keep dogs on a lead around livestock and away from other people/dogs.
Leave gates as you find them.