What We Are Doing:

  • We are taking a phased approach to resuming our services, having regard to both government guidance and advice and to the advice of our outdoor activity governing/member organisations (BNW, BMC etc).

  • The number of people attending our walks will be limited to comply with government rules pertaining at the time of the walk.

  • We have reviewed and updated our Pipsticks Walks Activity Risk Assessment to include the new COVID-19 risks and control measures.  Our Route Specific Risk Assessments are also being reviewed.  These are available for inspection on request.

  • We are reviewing our walking routes to, where reasonably practicable:

    • Anticipate, and aim to avoid, pinch points such as narrow paths, gates and stiles.  Where avoidance is not practicable, we will work with other users to navigate them whilst maintaining the required social distancing pertaining at the time of the walk.

    • Avoid the need to touch access furniture: many gates can be operated using the crook of your elbow, foot, or walking pole, thus avoiding direct hand contact. Where this is not possible, we will endeavour to use (and ask you to use) a hand covering to operate gate mechanisms or climb stiles.

  • We work to maintain enhanced personal hygiene, as advised by government, at all times, and ask you to do the same.

  • As part of our pre-walk briefings, and during the walk if necessary, we will remind you to maintain the required social distancing and to stay alert and act responsibly.

  • We are restricting the use of shared equipment (Nordic walking poles). In limited cases where we do loan Nordic walking poles these will be cleaned appropriately after each use.

  • We have familiarised ourselves with the current RESUS guidance on ‘CPR during COVID’.

  • Where we plan to visit a Third Party premises (such as a pub or cafe) as part of a walk or other activity, this will be visited by us before a group visit to review whether the group can be reasonably accommodated in the context of Covid-19 safety measures.

  • As a condition of booking and attending our walks we ask that you read and act upon the ‘How You Can Help’ measures below.

  • We continue to monitor government advice and that of our governing/member organisations. We will respond to any changes, and update this statement, as appropriate.

How You Can Help:

We all need to take a few sensible precautions.  Please read, and act upon, the following:

Stay Alert and Act Responsibly:

  • You should make your own personal decisions about contact with others and whether or not to join one of our small group walks.  Our own personal circumstances vary and some of you will want to be more cautious than others, particularly if you or one of your household is ‘vulnerable’.  It is important that you make your own decision on whether it is right for you to join one of our walks, having regard to the latest government advice on precautions against the COVID-19 virus.  Do not put yourself, or others, at unnecessary risk.

  • If you think you may have any symptoms linked to COVID-19, or have been exposed to the virus in the 14 days prior to the walk, do not come to the walk.  Remember to check government advice.  If you appear to us to be displaying any of the symptoms, we will discuss this with you and may ask you not to join the walk.

  • If you have walked with us during a period when you think you may have been infected with the Covid-19 virus, it is important that you let us know so that we can take any appropriate action.

Attending Walks:

When attending walks we ask that you:

  • Book your walk in advance (see below).

  • Comply with the social distancing rules pertaining at the time of the walk.

  • Carry your own water, food, personal first aid and hand sanitizer.

  • Avoid touching gates and stiles if possible: many gates can be operated using the crook of your elbow, or walking pole, avoiding hand contact entirely. Where this is not possible, use a hand covering to operate gate mechanisms or climb stiles.

  • Follow government advice regarding the need for enhanced personal hygiene – wash your hands before and after attending a walk and carry and use hand sanitizer after any contact with surfaces.

  • Do not share equipment (such as walking poles).  Clean your equipment after each use (Nordic walking pole straps can be put in the washing machine)! If you wish to join a Nordic walk but do not have your own poles, please discuss this with us before you book.

  • Respect others, act responsibly at all times and stay alert. If you are concerned about anything during the walk, please let us know.

Stay Informed:

Booking & Payments

Booking:

  • Prior booking for all walks is essential to avoid disappointment. Maximum walk capacity will be strictly adhered to.

  • To book onto a walk you should either ‘phone, text or email us at Pipsticks Walks.  For some walks we may ask you to use an online booking system.

  • Once a walk has reached its maximum capacity you will be offered a place on the waiting list.  If a place becomes available we will contact the next on the list, and so on.

  • You will be informed if we need to cancel a walk.  Please check your phones and emails for any messages before you leave home for your walk.

Walks Fees & Payments:

  • Payments should be made in advance and via bank transfer (details provided on booking).  If you do not have access to online banking, please let us know and we can make alternative arrangements for cash payments (exact amount only).

Thank you for your understanding and co-operation. Stay safe and keep healthy.

Pipsticks Walks