Ahead of the Easter weekend, Exmoor National Park Authority along with the Exmoor Hill Farming Network is reminding people to stay close to home during the coronavirus pandemic and to take extra care when exercising on public rights of way that pass near farms or homes.
Dave Knight, Chairman of the Exmoor Hill Farming Network, has told Tone News:
“Spring is always a busy time on the farm with lambing and calving. Farmers are literally working around the clock to help feed the nation and it’s understandable they don’t want the extra worry of contamination to gates and property.
Ultimately this is our place of work so I’m pleased that most people are being respectful of that by using alternative routes where possible and sticking to government guidelines.”
Some farmers and residents have voiced concerns about increased use of public rights of way by local people following the lockdown restrictions.
In response the National Park has produced an easily downloadable poster on their website that can be displayed to remind people of the Coronavirus Countryside Code:
- Use open spaces near where you live.
- Stay least 2 metres away from other people.
- Avoid touching shared surfaces and clean hands regularly.
- Leave gates as you find them.
- Keep dogs under close control (at heel or on a lead).
Defra advice is that risk of the coronavirus being passed on to others from people using public rights of way is very low if they follow these simple steps.
The law in England does not allow the National Park Authority to close any part of the public rights of way network for COVID-19 reasons.
But anyone with concerns about public access can contact the National Park’s Ranger team for advice at info@exmoor-nationalpark.gov.uk or 01398 323665.
For further information about safe rights of way use or to download the poster visit the Exmoor National Park website or take a read of the Exmoor Magazine.
