The following apples to England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
You are now able to resume monitoring. This is at individuals own discretion, nobody should in any way feel obliged to recommence monitoring.
Before you recommence monitoring please;
- Check that your volunteer insurance provides cover for ARMI activity in relation to coronavirus. (If you are a registered volunteer through the host organisation of your Riverfly group or hub, you can check this with your local coordinator. If you participate in ARMI independently, i.e., you are not officially registered as a volunteer with the host organisation of a ARMI group or hub, you will need to contact your insurer directly.
- Contact landowner(s) and fishery manager(s) to request permission to recommence monitoring activity at the current time.
- Follow all current ARMI Health and Safety protocols. This should include regularly sanitising hands with an appropriate hand alcohol, not only in accordance with government guidance for coronavirus but also with regard to other contaminants, pollutants, and infections that may be encountered as a result of monitoring activity (especially through contact with river water) such as Weil’s Disease. Please note that the World Health Organisation (WHO) published ‘Water, sanitation, hygiene, and waste management for SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19 - Interim guidance’ on 29 July 2020 which states there is currently no evidence to support transmission in waste water. RNA can be detected but is non-transferable.
Observe the following additional protocols while sampling;
- Maintain minimum 2 metres distance from others at all times
- Carry a personal supply of appropriate hand alcohol and regularly to sanitise hands, especially immediately before and after using public transport, making contact with surfaces in the public domain (for example gates), making contact with monitoring equipment, and following contact with river water and anything else in the environment.
- If you feel unwell please follow current government and NHS guidelines, and self isolate as appropriate.
- Wash your hands thoroughly before going monitoring.
- Consider wearing gloves and face mask / covering (always adhere to government guidance about mandatory wearing of face masks / coverings)
For updates and current guidance relating to coronavirus visit Gov.uk/coronavirus and NHS.uk/coronavirus
We hope you are staying safe and well at this time. Riverfly monitoring can be a great way to connect with nature and enhance wellbeing. If you are able to do so safely, we sincerely hope you enjoy monitoring again
