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Coronavirus and Boating
World Sailing AGM & General Assembly Moving Online Only For 2020
World Sailing has announced it will hold its 2020 Annual General Meeting and General Assembly online only due to the global challenges caused by the coronavirus pandemic. Abu Dhabi in the UAE had been scheduled to host World Sailing’s annual…
The WI jetty at Clonmacnoise is among a number closed for two weeks under localised restrictions in Midlands counties
Waterways Ireland has closed a number of jetties and visitor moorings on its inland waterways in counties Laois, Offaly and Kildare due to the localised coronavirus restrictions imposed by the Government from yesterday evening, Friday 7 August. The affected jetties…
Small Grants For Sports Clubs In Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown To Fund Reopening
Dun Laoghaire’s waterfront yacht clubs are among the sports clubs that may be eligible to apply for Covid-19 Club Small Grants of up to €1,500 through the Dun Laoghaire Rathdown Sports Partnership. The grants are part of a series of…
Sailors taking part in last year’s Women at the Helm regatta
It is with great reluctance that Irish Sailing have decided, along with hosts the National Yacht Club, to cancel the Women at the Helm regatta that had been set to take place later this month, writes Gail McAllister. Despite the…
No visitors will set foot on Skellig Michael this year due to coronavirus concerns
Skellig Michael will not be reopened to visitors this season due to concerns around the spread of coronavirus, the OPW has confirmed. But as The Irish Times reports, the decision which followed a promised assessment after the island was closed…
Reminder On Covid-19 Guidance For Domestic Passenger Vessels
The Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport has issued a reminder of guidance for all operators of domestic passenger vessels to prevent the spread of coronavirus on their services. This includes the Covid-19 Marine Travel Protocol and guidance for ferry…
Dingle Harbour in Co Kerry
The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) has confirmed that bathroom and shower facilities at Dingle’s harbour and marina will reopen by the coming weekend. Marina users had expressed dismay that facilities at the fishery harbour had remained…
Mirror dinghy racing in Sligo Bay, which will host the 2020 Mirror Nationals next month
New dates have been announced for the Mirror Nationals and Eastern regional championships by Mirror Sailing Ireland following this summer’s disruption to the schedule amid the coronavirus pandemic. Sligo Yacht Club, host venue for next year’s Mirror Worlds, will welcome…
A clear statement: the Royal Ulster Yacht Club’s prototype insignia facemask ironically disguises the wearer very effectively, but leaves no doubt about his club.
If we need any further indication of the longterm seriousness of the current public health precautions in the face of the coronavirus pandemic, then we’re told everything by the fact that sailing and yacht clubs are finally responding through acquiring…
The new Zhik mask - When it gets wet with the spray of the bow, it still feels very comfortable
In the light of the new July ruling's about face coverings, Piet Poelmann, CEO of Zhik, the Australian marine clothing brand, has introduced a new face mask that is weatherproof, washable and comfortable. It is not just another face mask.…
Mirrors racing downwind on Lough Ree
Mirror Sailing Ireland has announced new dates in August for the Northern regionals that were due to take place this weekend, 18-19 July. Lough Ree Yacht Club will now host the Mirror Northerns on the weekend of 29-30 August as…
Guidance On Sailing Events During The Covid-19 Pandemic
A group of volunteer race officials have worked together to create a guidance document to help in planning and implementing safe and happy sailing events for the season ahead. Irish Sailing has now published these guidelines, with details on planning,…
RYA Northern Ireland Updates ‘Step 2’ Guidance For Boaters
RYA Northern Ireland has updated its guidance for boaters following recent announcements by the NI Executive. Sport Northern Ireland officials confirmed that the sport sector remains in Step 2 of the Roadmap to Recovery until further announcements. The situation in…
Dingle Oceanworld in Co Kerry
A Dingle-based marine wildlife sanctuary and aquarium which has recently reopened fears having to close for good without State funding to help cover its bills, as the Irish Examiner reports. Dingle Oceanworld says it is down more than €200,000 in…
Burgee of the UK’s Cruising Association
Permission for overnight stays in England from this Saturday 4 July means a “cautious” return to cruising for those who see their boats in the country, according to the UK’s Cruising Association (CA). The move follows similar changes already introduced…
Ensure Responsible Racing With A Log Book From Viking Marine
The return of racing at yacht, sailing and boat clubs around Ireland this week is hugely welcomed by all. But as pointed out on Afloat.ie last Friday, we are being asked to make safety of a new kind our priority…

Coronavirus (COVID-19): Irish Sailing & Boating

Since restrictions began in March 2020, the Government is preparing for a 'controlled and gradual return to sport' and the 2020 sailing fixtures are being tentatively redrafted by yacht clubs, rowing clubs angling and diving clubs across Ireland as the country enters a new phase in dealing with the Coronavirus. The hope is that a COVID-19 restrictions might be eased by May 5th as Sport Ireland has asked national governing bodies for information on the challenges they face. 

Coronavirus (COVID-19) information

COVID-19 is a new illness that can affect your lungs and airways. It's caused by a virus called coronavirus.

To help stop the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19) everyone has been asked to stay at home. But some people may need to do more than this.

You may need to either:

You do these things to stop other people from getting coronavirus.

Read advice for people in at-risk groups

Read advice about cocooning.

Restricted movements

Everybody in Ireland has been asked to stay at home. You should only go out for a few reasons, such as shopping for food.

But you need to restrict your movements further if you: 

  • live with someone who has symptoms of coronavirus, but you feel well
  • are a close contact of a confirmed case of coronavirus
  • have returned to Ireland from another country

You need to restrict your movements for at least 14 days.

But if the person you live with has had a test and it is negative, you don't need to wait 14 days. You should still follow the advice for everyone - stay at home as much as possible.

Close contact

This is only a guide but close contact can mean:

  • spending more than 15 minutes of face-to-face contact within 2 metres of an infected person
  • living in the same house or shared accommodation as an infected person

How to restrict your movements 

Follow the advice for everybody - stay at home.