Coronavirus - Updated 25/03/20
**IF YOU ARE A TENANT AT THE SITE, PLEASE READ THE BELOW ADVICE IN FULL**
To all tenants at Stafford Freemen's Allotments.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
The trustees wish to make the following comments about the use of Coton Fields in the current situation.
There is no specific advice for our allotments, but there has been some general guidance.
I have sent a request to the Prime Minster's office asking him to ensure that working on allotments is not restricted, but unsurprisingly, I have not yet had any reply.
We have had no discussions about closing the site and it seems to me that leaving your home for "one period of exercise per day, alone or with a member of your household" could be interpreted as being able to working on an allotment.
Indeed, Michael Gove said: "I think it is perfectly sensible for people to go to an allotment. It is in the very nature of an allotment that there's a safe distance between people who are working on individual allotments."
In our 22 acres people would be well separated from others. Indeed they usually are. (Just no tea and coffee clubs.)
The toilets will have to remain closed, as we cannot guarantee sanitisation.
There are strict rules concerning purchases from the Store, but at present it will remain open at the usual times.
After handling gates or locks we have to rely on individuals to take care and be responsible.
Preferably use disposable gloves or sanitise your hands after entry and obviously wash your hands on returning home.
The gardens are a valuable resource and people who have fresh produce are not going to queue up in supermarkets if they have a choice.
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Advice given by Exeter City Council to allotment holders is echoed, and is summarised below:
* Plot holders who are self isolating because a family member is ill, or they themselves are ill, should NOT visit the site.
* Maintain distance from other tenants
* Do not share tools or other equipment
* Take care when touching site gates or locks. Ensure to sanitise hands after use.
To all tenants at Stafford Freemen's Allotments.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
The trustees wish to make the following comments about the use of Coton Fields in the current situation.
There is no specific advice for our allotments, but there has been some general guidance.
I have sent a request to the Prime Minster's office asking him to ensure that working on allotments is not restricted, but unsurprisingly, I have not yet had any reply.
We have had no discussions about closing the site and it seems to me that leaving your home for "one period of exercise per day, alone or with a member of your household" could be interpreted as being able to working on an allotment.
Indeed, Michael Gove said: "I think it is perfectly sensible for people to go to an allotment. It is in the very nature of an allotment that there's a safe distance between people who are working on individual allotments."
In our 22 acres people would be well separated from others. Indeed they usually are. (Just no tea and coffee clubs.)
The toilets will have to remain closed, as we cannot guarantee sanitisation.
There are strict rules concerning purchases from the Store, but at present it will remain open at the usual times.
After handling gates or locks we have to rely on individuals to take care and be responsible.
Preferably use disposable gloves or sanitise your hands after entry and obviously wash your hands on returning home.
The gardens are a valuable resource and people who have fresh produce are not going to queue up in supermarkets if they have a choice.
-----------------------------
Advice given by Exeter City Council to allotment holders is echoed, and is summarised below:
* Plot holders who are self isolating because a family member is ill, or they themselves are ill, should NOT visit the site.
* Maintain distance from other tenants
* Do not share tools or other equipment
* Take care when touching site gates or locks. Ensure to sanitise hands after use.
