VANCOUVER -- Pictures of people flocking to parks and beaches during the COVID-19 crisis have caused waves of frustration on social media, but sometimes there's more to seemingly outrageous crowd photos than meets the eye.

That's the point Vancouver landscape architect Jeff Cutler set out to prove late Sunday afternoon when he headed down to Kitsilano Beach with a number of different camera lenses and a drone.

"There can be a lot of people on the beach and it can look quite crowded," said Cutler. "It's not until you get into the air and look down that you can really start to get a true picture of how people are behaving."

Cutler took pictures of the beach using a 35 mm lens, a 70 mm lens and a 200 mm telephoto lens the latter capable of compressing a scene and making faraway objects appear closer than they are and compared the results.

The shorter the lens, Cutler noted, the more spaced out beachgoers looked.

"A 35 mm is closer to the human eye, and that's a much wider angle view. When you look at that, you can start to see spaces between people a little bit more," he explained.

But the starkest contrast came when Cutler captured the beach from the skies using his drone. The image shows people by and large maintaining a safe physical distance.

Of course, not everyone was following the rules diligently. While British Columbians were supposed wait until the Victoria Day weekend to begin increasing their social interactions and meeting a select few friends or extended family members for physically distanced picnics, there were some large groups congregating in Vancouver on Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

The park board said rangers handed out nearly 2,000 warnings to people who weren't keeping their distance over the weekend, which led officials to reverse their decision to reopen parking lots.

But provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry said she believes most people were following her recommendations.

"The vast majority of people are doing the right thing and taking this to heart, and I thank them because that's how we're going to get through this," Henry said during her daily virus briefing on Monday.

"I think we can sometimes get caught up with the small minority of people who are maybe having too much fun and are disturbing those of us who are trying to keep a little bit separate."

California decided to close some of its beaches after images surfaced showing huge crowds of people out enjoying the sunshine. Cutler, who designs parks and other public spaces for a living at space2place, said part of the reason he shared his images was to avoid an outcome like that in B.C.

"It's of particular interest to me, and I've just watched during the pandemic how valuable public spaces are," he said. "If they were closed I think that would be really difficult on people."

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Just how crowded are B.C. beaches? Pictures highlight how perspectives can mislead - CTV News

Future phases could include a hotel and up to 100,000 sq ft of offices

18 May 2020, 16:24Dan Whelan

Scarborough International Properties has submitted an application to Salford City Council for 189 new homes, as the latest phase of the 25-acre Middlewood Locks development.

The Middlewood Locks residential project close to Salford Central station is being delivered by a joint venture between Scarborough, China-based Hualing Group and Metro Holdings, a property development and investment group based in Singapore.

The schemes third phase, designed by Whittam Cox Architects, is to provide 176 one- to three-bedroom apartments in two blocks. The blocks are to reach 10 storeys and 12 storeys respectively and are situated on the northern side of the Manchester Burt and Bolton canal, opposite the 275-home first phase of the scheme.

There would be 13 canalside two- to four-bedroom townhouses.

The scheme will feature more than 2,000 residential units once complete

The project will also feature 5,150 sq ft of ground floor commercial and retail accommodation, and an additional 5,000 sq ft of offices.

Subject to planning approval, work will start in early 2021 with completion expected in the summer 2023, according to Scarborough, whose chairman is Kevin McCabe.

The landscape architect for the scheme is Planit-IE and the lead contractor is expected to be BCEGI, which delivered the first two phases.

The second phase, comprising four buildings of up to 10 storeys in height and a total of 546 apartments, topped out in February and is set to complete in 2021.

Phases one and two were bought by a joint venture between Delancey Oxford Residential, fund manager APG and developer Qatari Diar for 180m in early 2019. The apartments are being rented under the ventures Get Living brand.

Once complete, Middlewood Locks will provide a total of 2,215 new homes and 900,000 sq ft of commercial space, including offices, hotel, shops, restaurants, a convenience store and gym.

Overall, the site has a gross development value of more than 700m, according to the developers.

Paul Kelly, development director of Scarborough, said:This is the next step in creating a reality of our vision forMiddlewoodLocks.

This development is providing much needed homes and will provide quality office space capable of attracting major organisations alongside further retail and leisure space all in an environment that recognises that people come first.

Continued here:
Plans in for third phase of Middlewood Locks - Place North West

The existing car park would be reconfigured to offer more levels

18 May 2020, 10:06

An outline application to increase spaces at a ground floor car park at Kelvin Close to 718, from 474 spaces, by building a multistorey facility has been submitted to Warrington Council.

The project seeks to reconfigure the existing park by constructing a new, five-storey car park.

The applicant for the scheme is North West Portfolio, a special purpose vehicle owned by developer Emerson Group.

The group, which owns two office buildings off Kelvin Close one partially let and one vacant is taking advantage of the current low occupancy to build the car park in preparation for when the buildings become fully let, according to the planning documents prepared by Emerson Group.

The applicant is concerned that, should the buildings become fully occupied, there would be insufficient parking provision.

The first building, partly occupied by Carphone Warehouse, spans 42,500 sq ft while the vacant building two is 50,000 sq ft.

It will be extremely difficult to attract new tenants to these buildings without appropriate additional parking provision, the application documents state.

At full occupancy, these buildings can accommodate a very significant number of employees.

Orbit Developments, part of Emerson Group, is the agent for the offices and Appletons is the landscape architect for the scheme.

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Car park expansion mooted for Birchwood offices - Place North West

...VERY HEAVY RAINFALL TO PRODUCE FLOODING ACROSS PARTS OFWESTERN NORTH CAROLINA AND UPSTATE SOUTH CAROLINA THROUGHTHURSDAY....ROUND AFTER ROUND OF HEAVY RAIN SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMSWILL MOVE THROUGH THE WESTERN CAROLINAS TONIGHT THROUGH WEDNESDAYNIGHT. THE HEAVY RAINFALL THAT ALREADY FELL TODAY, SOME 2 TO 3INCHES IN A FEW PLACES, IS SETTING THE STAGE FOR ADDITIONAL HEAVYRAINFALL AND ASSOCIATED FLOODING TO DEVELOP THROUGH AT LEAST MID-WEEK. RAPID RISES WILL CONTINUE TO DEVELOP ALONG AREA STREAMS ANDCREEKS, AND MAIN STEM RIVERS WILL BE STEADILY ON THE RISE AS WELL.FLOODING MAY DEVELOP BY EARLY TUESDAY AND LIKELY WORSEN IN MANYPLACES THROUGH THURSDAY....FLASH FLOOD WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT THROUGH THURSDAY MORNING...THE FLASH FLOOD WATCH CONTINUES FOR* PORTIONS OF NORTH CAROLINA AND UPSTATE SOUTH CAROLINA, INCLUDINGTHE FOLLOWING AREAS, IN NORTH CAROLINA, ALEXANDER, AVERY,BUNCOMBE, BURKE, CALDWELL, CATAWBA, CLEVELAND, MCDOWELL, POLK,RUTHERFORD, HENDERSON, LINCOLN, MITCHELL, TRANSYLVANIA, ANDYANCEY COUNTIES. IN UPSTATE SOUTH CAROLINA, ANDERSON, CHEROKEE,GREENVILLE, PICKENS, AND SPARTANBURG COUNTIES.* THROUGH THURSDAY MORNING* SEVERAL WAVES OF MODERATE TO HEAVY RAINFALL AND EMBEDDEDTHUNDERSTORMS WILL RESULT IN RAINFALL TOTALS OF 4 TO 8 INCHES INMANY LOCATIONS BY THURSDAY MORNING. RAINFALL TOTALS OF 8 TO 12INCHES WILL BE POSSIBLE ALONG AND NEAR THE NORTHERN BLUE RIDGEESCARPMENT IN WESTERN NORTH CAROLINA.* RAPID RISES ABOVE BANKFULL ON STREAMS AND CREEKS MAY OCCUR,ALONG WITH THE THREAT OF FLOODED ROADWAYS IN EMBEDDEDTHUNDERSTORMS OR POCKETS OF HIGHER RAINFALL RATES. MAIN STEMRIVER FLOODING MAY DEVELOP AS WELL DURING THE MID WEEK PERIOD,AND PERHAPS PERSIST THROUGH LATE WEEK OR LONGER, ESPECIALLYALONG THE CATAWBA RIVER CHANNEL WHERE LONGER DURATION,SIGNIFICANT FLOODING WILL BE POSSIBLE. IN AND NEAR THEMOUNTAINS, THE THREAT FOR LANDSLIDE ACTIVITY MAY ALSO INCREASETUESDAY INTO WEDNESDAY.PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...A FLASH FLOOD WATCH MEANS THAT CONDITIONS MAY DEVELOP THAT LEADTO FLASH FLOODING. FLASH FLOODING IS A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION.YOU SHOULD MONITOR LATER FORECASTS AND BE PREPARED TO TAKE ACTIONSHOULD FLASH FLOOD WARNINGS BE ISSUED.RAINFALL OF MORE THAN FIVE INCHES IN SIMILAR STORMS HAS BEENASSOCIATED WITH AN INCREASED RISK OF LANDSLIDES AND ROCKSLIDES. IFYOU LIVE ON A MOUNTAINSIDE OR IN A COVE AT THE BASE OF A MOUNTAIN,ESPECIALLY NEAR A STREAM, BE READY TO LEAVE IN ADVANCE OF THESTORM OR AS QUICKLY AS POSSIBLE SHOULD RISING WATER, MOVING EARTH,OR ROCKS THREATEN. CONSIDER POSTPONING TRAVEL ALONG MOUNTAIN ROADSDURING THE PERIOD OF HEAVY RAINFALL.&&

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A brief history of how carousels got their start - Morganton News Herald

Gutters serve the important function of diverting water away from your home, preventing costly damage and keeping your siding and foundation in good working order. With regular maintenance, gutters can last for many years. But if theyre beginning to show signs of wear, it may be time to repair or replace them. These are a few things to look out for.

Are your gutters sagging?

If you see your gutters leaning or pulling away from your house, dont wait to call a gutter repair pro. When its caught early, its usually a simple fix its often a broken spike or hanger causing the issue. Repairing the hardware prevents more serious problems, like a rotting fascia board or complete collapse. A pro can set things right in no time, and they can also inspect your gutters to see if theres a larger issue that needs attention.

Do you see any leaks?

If your gutters are cleaned out and you still notice water escaping, you probably have a leak. Dont worry - its generally not a complicated or pricey repair. If you see the leak at a joint between sections, you can reseal it. If you notice a damaged or cracked spot, you can patch it. Keep an eye on the area for additional leaks in the future, as the repairs may create a weak spot and invite a recurring problem.

Do you notice visible damage?

There are early signs of gutter damage that can help you stay one step ahead of the problem. For example, if you see peeling paint or orange flecks, it might mean theres standing water. If there are water marks or water damage beneath your gutters, thats a likely sign that water is escaping. Finally, if you see mildew or pooling water near your foundation, thats another symptom of a problem. If you notice any of these issues, you should call in an expert to help figure out where exactly the problem is, and how to fix it.

Do you clean your gutters regularly?

Cleaning your gutters once or twice a year - usually in spring and fall - is a great first line of defense against issues like debris buildup and clogging that can cause bigger problems. If you have a lot of trees, hedges and bushes around your home, you may need to clear out your gutters more frequently - and dont forget about your downspout, as a blocked downspout can cause issues, too.

If youre interested in additional protection against debris build-up, consider installing a gutter guard. While theres no such thing as maintenance-free gutters, a guard can assist with minimizing build-up, especially if you have large trees around your house.

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Don't wait too long to fix your gutters - The Union Leader

Pressure washer accessories are finding wide application owing to the various benefits such as time saving, cost-effectiveness, convenience, easy storage, and helpful in cleaning tough filth. Manufacturers in the pressure washer accessories market are focusing on providing pressure washer accessories that can increase the speed and enhance the performance of the pressure washers. Some of the pressure washer accessories gaining traction are brush attachments, cleaning heads, chemical dispensers, extension wands, storage tanks, and spray nozzles.

Know the Growth Opportunities in Emerging Markets

Pressure Washer Accessories Market- Notable Developments

Pressure-Pro

Founded in 1994, Pressure-Pro is located in the US. The company manufactures and offers pressure washers, specialty pressure washers, pumps, accessories, replacement parts, hose reels, and surface cleaners. The company also has a testing workshop to ensure the quality of the product before shipping. It is also focusing on customizing machines as per the requirement.

Hotsy Corporation

Established in 1970, Hotsy Corporation is located in the US. The company manufactures cold and hot water pressure washers, high pressure pumps, parts washing equipment, accessories, and detergents. The company also provides products and equipment for various industrial cleaning applications.

Bosch

Founded in 1886, Bosch is located in Germany. The company offers mobility solutions, consumer goods including power tools and household appliances, industrial and energy and building technology. The company provides high pressure washers and accessories.

Stihl

Founded in 1926, Stihl is located in Germany. The company provides chainsaws, trimmers, blowers, edgers, professional pressure washer, homeowner pressure washer, pressure washer accessories including nozzles, hose extension, water broom, surface cleaner, gutter cleaner, and other pressure washer accessories.

BE Power Equipment

Founded in 1969, BE Power Equipment is the manufacturer of pressure washers, power generators, air compressors, water pumps, forces air heaters, and log splitters. The company also provides pressure washer accessories such as nozzles, wands and guns, safety valves, water hoses, chemical injectors, detergent, plugs and fittings, etc.

Pressure Washer Accessories Market Dynamics

Increasing Preference for Electric Pressure Washer Driving Pressure Washer Accessories Market Growth

Electric pressure washer are finding wide application in light-duty cleaning like garage floors, outdoor grills, and car washing owing to its lightweight, low noise, and increased portability as compared to gas powered pressure washers. Many electric pressure washers have built-in tank for detergent use, however, some also provide an option to attach the pressure washer tanks. In response to the wide application of electric pressure washer for various cleaning purposes, companies are focusing on offering better accessories such as specialty tips and nozzles, chemical injector, spray guns made using various materials, self-spinning and stationary brushes, and other small accessories that can simplify the use and increase efficiency.

Order this Report TOC for Detailed Statistics

Manufacturers Focusing on Designing Pressure Washer Accessories for Improving Efficiency and Speed

Despite the presence of a large number of accessories for pressure washer, manufacturers are focusing on designing and developing only the accessories that can actually offer better efficiency and speed. Some of the pressure washer accessories that are being developed and provided on a large scale by manufacturers are nozzles, extension accessories, soap dispenser, surface cleaner, and trigger guns. In terms of the nozzles, turbo nozzle and multi-functional nozzle are gaining popularity. While extension accessories including extension wands are finding wide application to increase the reach of pressure washer on height.

Surface cleaner is another accessory that is witnessing growing demand as it reduces the cleaning time while cleaning the large, flat surface faster. With increasing focus on cleaning specific object or space, customers are selecting pressure washer accessories that can meet their specific needs.

Availability of Counterfeit Accessories to Challenge Pressure Washer Accessories Market Growth

Counterfeit has emerged as a challenge for various products and companies. In the pressure washer accessories market as well, the availability of counterfeit accessories at low cost has emerged as one of the biggest challenges for original and branded accessories manufacturers. Owing to the ease of designing and production of pressure washer accessories many local companies are developing duplicate products and selling them at low cost.

However, in recent years, governments and enforcement agencies across countries have become increasingly aware of the counterfeiting problem and are focusing on implementing anti-counterfeit policies. Meanwhile, technologies such as biometric markers, holograms, are being used to authenticate products.

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Pressure Washer Accessories Market Segmentation

Based on the accessories type, the pressure washer accessories market is segmented into

Based on the washer type, the pressure washer accessories market is segmented into

Based on the application, the pressure washer accessories market is segmented into

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Pressure Washer Accessories Market to Witness Growth Acceleration During 2028 - Cole of Duty

Just about every product and machine we come in contact with uses electricity. To keep us safe, almost all of them have built-in safety features, especially those on the factory floor. Technicians, maintenance crews, supervisors and managers must be protected from injury due to moving parts, high temperatures, shocks and other electricity-related hazards.

Designers have a host of methods to address electrical safety issues.

When it comes to industrial electrical safety, the best offense can be a good defense. In other words, if there were a way to keep people away from dangerous electrical equipment, it would lower the chances of anyone getting hurt. One simple way to do this is to keep risky equipment secure in an enclosure. Enclosures prevent injuries, along with inadvertent tampering and vandalism.

Most automated and factory equipment requires electrical enclosures, sometimes called control enclosures. They keep moisture, dust and contaminants away from electrical and automation components. They also keep workers from getting too close to electrical components. Enclosures are best located so they do not impede traffic and arent in crowded areas.

Properly selected enclosures protect automation and electrical components inside and keep workers away from hazards.AutomationDirect

Eventually, someone will need to get inside the enclosure. That could be maintenance technicians making annual checks and upgrades or inspectors looking things over. So, inside the enclosure, engineers should choose components and assemblies with guards, shields and other devices to stop visitors from touching energized components. Components should be laid out so theres enough working room and adequate airflow. Wires should be neatly routed using wire ducts so that wires and workers are protected.

On equipment itself with moving parts, hot surfaces, or other physical hazards, the best approach providing physical barriers or guards to contain those hazards. Of course, any guard can be defeated by removal, so plant managers should also use non-contact or interlock safety switches that make it difficult to bypass. And if the guard is moved, sensors detect it and automatically have the equipment stopped and/or de-energized.

Some guards and panels must be easily movable to accommodate cleaning and replacing parts. In these cases, trapped-key interlock safety switches hold the door closed with a mechanical lock-and-key until the equipment stops and is safe to access.

Another way to physically safeguard electrical and automated equipment adds devices such as light curtains, mats, edges and bumpers. These can all be arranged around potentially dangerous equipment to detect someone approaching and stop equipment operation before the operator gets too close to the hazard.

The electrical design inside enclosures should also be safe in terms of power distribution and control circuitry. It must follow NFPA 70 National Electrical Code (NEC), which is the benchmark for safe electrical design and installation practices to protect people and property from electrical hazards. Provision and sizing of disconnect switches, overcurrent devices, conductors and associated components are all covered by the NEC.

Disconnect switches are primary electrical safety devices that isolate downstream electrical systems from upstream power. They are used in electrical switchgear, panelboards and control panels, as well as for mounting close to power-using machines such as motors. Disconnect switches can be locked open by users to ensure downstream equipment is electrically safe for maintenance or repair.

In power distribution and control panels, overcurrent devices such as circuit breakers fuses, and motor overload devices, protect downstream conductors by automatically opening a circuit when theres an overcurrent or short-circuit. This protects equipment and workers from fault conditions.

Circuit breakers, fuses and overload devices protect downstream conductors if there is an overcurrent or short-circuit. Technicians can use them to safely de-energize equipment.AutomationDirect

Surge protection is another electrical safety provision and has recently received increased attention, especially since the 2017 revision of NEC section 670.6. This added the requirement to have surge protection on industrial machinery safety interlock circuits. Electrical surges can be caused by failing equipment, utility problems, and lightning strikes, and can damage operational equipment and control circuits. Surge protective devices on safety interlock circuits help ensure safety functions operate continually and are protecting workers.

For motor-driven electrical equipment, prudent designers include devices not absolutely required but proving additional protection. For instance, phase-monitoring relays detect electrical problems such as phase loss or phase imbalance, each of which can cause hazardous operating conditions. Similarly, some equipment can be equipped with vibration, temperature, and seal leak sensors. Wiring these sensors to relays or automated switches can stop equipment if a problem is detected.

In addition to safely enclosing electrical devices and installing wiring and devices per NEC, designers can take additional steps to keep workers safe. Some of these steps are mandated by standards such as ISO 13849 Safety of Machinery, while others are simply good engineering practices.

Machinery designers must also follow ISO 13849 and perform a risk assessment to identify hazards and how to safeguard against them.

Cable-pull safety switches are particularly effective safety devices because they can span large areas of equipment and those working in the area can easily actuate them. These switches get wired into safety relay modules or more advanced safety controllers, depending on the required safety level needed. When theres no trouble, these relays and controllers let equipment operate and hold all trapped-key interlocks closed. However, if a safety sensor is triggered, the equipment is de-energized and brought to a safe state as quickly as possible.

Outside of dedicated safety circuits, designers can provide automation features to help operators efficiently and safely run equipment. These include visual and audible indicators so workers can quickly understand the operating state and condition of the equipment. Specialized indicators such as modular stack lights are a good way to provide this type of indication from a much greater distance than small control-panel lights.

Pilot devices such as switches and pushbuttons, or even human-machine interfaces (HMIs), can be combined with control wiring and programmable logic controllers (PLCs) to facilitate safe startup, operation and shutdown of equipment. Careful configuration and programming of HMIs and PLCs is essential for good equipment performance and safe and efficient operator interaction with machinery.

Safety relay modules, such as these from AutomationDirect, provide engineers options for interlocking equipment to protect workers.AutomationDirect

Incorporating sufficient safety for industrial machinery and systems is never a one-and-done proposition. Some safety requirements for electrical and controls are mandated by codes and standards such as the NEC and ISO. Other safety measures are based on good engineering practices and careful consideration of how workers may interact with equipment. Designers can keep safety first for electrical and automation systems by following a layered approach that evaluates changing conditions and develops designs based on a portfolio of products to address physical, electrical and automation safety concerns.

Kevin Kakascik is a technical marketing engineer at AutomationDirect.

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Redesigned Testing Machine Set Up to Gather and Use Big Data - Machine Design

Italy will allow travel to and from abroad starting on June 3, the government announced late Friday night.

According to the decree approved by Italy's Cabinet, restrictions will also be lifted on travel within Italy meaning residents will once again be allowed to freely travel from region to region.

Read more:Which European Union countries are open for summer tourism?

Restrictions on movement within regions will end earlier on May 18. The statement stressed, however, that local and state governments can curb travel in certain areas if there is a spike in new infections.

Some regions urged Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte to roll back the restrictions sooner, but Conte has pushed for a gradual rollback of restrictions to prevent a second wave.

"We're facing a calculated risk in the knowledge that the contagion curve may rise again," Conte said in a televised address. "We have to accept it otherwise we will never be able to start up again."

In Greece, all beaches in the country were reopened on the weekend (May 16 &17). According to media reports, strict regulations were observed: The distance between parasols had to be four meters and only two sunbeds per parasol were allowed. Beach bars could only to sell packaged food and not to serve alcohol. Is this a preview of summer holidays in Europe despite the coronavirus pandemic?

Since Friday (May 15), people entering North Rhine-Westphalia from other EU countries and Schengen states no longer have to go into a 14-day home quarantine. The other German states are to follow in the next few days. Iceland, Norway, Liechtenstein and Switzerland are also exempt from the quarantine regulations. This will make travel to neighbouring countries much easier.

From Saturday (May 16), Germany will again open its borders to neighboring countries France, Austria and Switzerland. There will only be random checks, and no more checks at all for Luxembourg. However, there must still be "good" reasons for crossing the border. And love is accepted as such. For example, German-Swiss couples at Lake Constance (photo) can visit each other again.

The Austrian government has announced that the border with Germany will be opened on June 15th. Tourism in Austria has been effectively suspended due to the coronavirus pandemic. On May 29th, hotels and accommodation establishments in Austria will be allowed to reopen. Austrian tourism is heavily dependent on guests from Germany.

Borkum, Juist (photo) and the other East Frisian islands are happy to be able to greet tourists again, even if it's a limited surge of visitors. Since Monday (May 11), overnight stays in holiday apartments and camping sites throughout Lower Saxony are allowed again. Holidaymakers must stay at least one week. However, day tourists and hotel overnight stays are still prohibited.

Thuringians are pioneers. Weimar is the first city in Germany to reopen restaurants and cafs. Since Wednesday (May 6), people have been sitting in the sun with a coffee or beer and enjoying a step back towards normality while keeping their distance. Restaurants and hotels in the other federal states will also resume their limited operations by the end of May.

Holidaymakers might also be able to travel to the Balearic or Greek Islands in summer. "If there are very few new infections there and the medical care works, one could also think about a summer holiday in those places", the Federal Government Commissioner for Tourism, Thomas Barei, told the "Tagesspiegel" newpaper. Long-distance travel, however, was likely to be cancelled this summer.

On May 18th, the coronavirus lockdown for Bavaria's outdoor gastronomy is to end and the beer gardens will reopen. Of course under strict conditions, waiters have to wear masks, for example. On May 25th the indoor gastronomy is to follows, restaurants and cafes, with a limited number of guests. From May 30th onwards, the operation of hotels, and holiday homes in Bavaria will be allowed again.

Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania is the first federal state to reopen to tourists from all over Germany: From May 25th they can again stay in hotels, guest houses and holiday homes. 60 percent of the bed capacity will be released for this purpose. This means that the tourist season can start with the Whitsun holidays in popular holiday regions like the Baltic Sea and the Mecklenburg Lake District.

One of Beijing's most important sights can be visited again after months of closure due to the coronavirus crisis. From Friday (May 1), visitors are allowed back into the palace complex on Tiananmen Square under strict security conditions. Instead of the previously usual 80,000 visitors, a maximum of 5,000 guests are to be admitted daily.

Germany extended on Wednesday (April 29) its worldwide travel warning due to the coronavirus crisis to at least June 14. The Federal Foreign Office said that "severe and drastic restrictions in international air and travel traffic and worldwide entry restrictions, quarantine measures and restrictions on public life in many countries can still be expected."

Gastronomes have set up empty chairs in central locations in Germany, such as here in Dsseldorf, to draw attention to their situation in the coronavirus crisis. "Without direct financial aid, most of our businesses will not survive," says Guido Zllick, President of the German Hotel and Restaurant Association. "Suppliers and partners are also increasingly being drawn deeper into economic crisis."

Austria's Chancellor Sebastian Kurz is confident that the border between Austria and Germany will soon be opened again for tourists. Both countries are on the right track in containing the spread of the coronavirus, Kurz told ARD television on Wednesday (April 22). This is the precondition for a revival of tourism. He did not name an exact date for the opening of borders.

"A normal holiday season with crowded beach bars and busy mountain huts will not be possible this summer. That would be unacceptable," German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas said on Tuesday (April 21). However, he did not rule out the possibility that borders for tourists could be reopened before the summer and that holiday travel with certain restrictions might be possible.

The Oktoberfest has been cancelled this year due to the coronavirus pandemic.Bavaria's premier Markus Sder and Munich's mayor Dieter Reiter announced the decision on Tuesday (April 21)."It pains us, and it is a great pity", said Sder. But in times of the coronavirus, the danger of infection at the folk festival, which attracts about six million visitors annually, would just be too great.

The Prime Minister of Schleswig-Holstein, Daniel Gnther, hopes that tourism on the North and Baltic Seas will be revived in the summer. Despite the coronavirus crisis, he "definitely did not write off the summer tourism business," he said on April 19. While they are now proscribed, stays in secondary residences, holiday homes and finally hotels could be made possible again in three steps.

The government resolutions (April 15th) stipulate that people in Germany should continue to refrain from making private trips. The worldwide travel warning is to be upheld. Accommodation offers are only available for necessary and explicitly non-touristic purposes. Restaurants will also remain closed. Tourism is one of the industries that has been hit hardest in the coronavirus crisis.

The entry ban imposed by the USA on foreign nationals from Europe will remain in place for the time being. Italy and Spain are still struggling with the coronavirus crisis and France has just extended measures to contain infections by the virus, US President Donald Trump said on Monday (April 13). The entry ban will remain in force until the countries show signs of improvement, Trump said.

Hotels, cafes and souvenir shops are closed. It is unusually empty outside the Royal Palace in Palma (picture). The Easter season on the Spanish holiday island of Mallorca has been cancelled. The Majorcan hotel association now fears that due to the uncertain situation in the main markets of Germany and Great Britain, some hotels will remain closed even during the peak season.

By Sunday (April, 5) 205,000 travelers had been brought back to Germany, according to the federal government.Airplanes from Peru and Colombia were the most recent to take off.More than 40,000 Germans however are still stranded abroad. Foreign Minister Heiko Maas said on Twitter."We will continue our efforts to find solutions for the travelers who have not yet been able to return."

Thousands of foreigners stranded in New Zealand because of the coronavirus crisis will be able to leave the Pacific state from Friday (April 3). On Thursday, the New Zealand government announced that it would allow the "safe and orderly departure of tens of thousands" of stranded people. Earlier it had stopped return flights by foreign governments.

A light installation on the Matterhorn in Switzerland is giving a sign of solidarity and hope in the fight against the corona virus. Encouraging messages are also being projected on to many other tourist landmarks around the world. "Stay safe", "Stay at home" could be see on Monday evening on the Great Pyramid in Giza near the Egyptian capital Cairo.

The repatriation process for Germans stranded abroad is ongoing. Until now, main destinations such as Egypt or Morocco have been addressed. "It will be more difficult with countries that only have small groups of scattered adventure vacationers," said the crisis manager of the German Foreign Office. Tourists in the Pacific Islands must first be rounded up in New Zealand and then flown out.

After long delays Thailand closed its borders on Thursday (March 26). The authorities had delayed the decision for a long time to safeguard the tourism sector. Now tens of thousands of tourists are stuck in the Southeast Asian tourist country. The German government has so far not organized a repatriation for German tourists, as Thailand is not considered a risk region.

The German foreign ministry announced on Wednesday (March 25) that, together with tour operators, it had brought back more than 150,000 Germans from abroad. Tour operator TUI added that almost 95 percent of the tourists who were stranded because of the coronavirus pandemic are now back in Germany. They were mainly flown out from Egypt, Spain, Portugal and the Cape Verde Islands.

German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas has said that the warning against traveling abroad will remain in effect until the end of April. "This includes the Easter holidays," he said on Twitter. "Stay at home! Protect yourself and your fellow human beings," he appealed to the population. Many tour operators have also extended their travel ban until the end of April.

The EU Commission is supporting the return to Europe of tens of thousands of long-distance travellers. It intends to cover a large part of the costs, since most of the flight connections have been cancelled. "We are here to help them return," Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said in a video message.

African countries have also ordered numerous measures to prevent the spread of the coronavirus. South Africa, for example, has banned access to the country for people coming from risk areas. Nigeria is monitoring the temperature of travelers at airports, ports and borders. Cameroon has closed its borders indefinitely.

The Australian government has imposed an indefinite ban on all foreign travel by its citizens. Prime Minister Scott Morrison also called on all Australians who are abroad to return home. A 14-day compulsory quarantine for all people entering the country has already been in place for some time. Here, too, it has become quiet in the cities.

The coronavirus crisis is impacting travelers and the tourism industry with full force. Several tour operators, including TUI, has cancelled trips, and some airlines are shutting down. Germany's federal and state governments decided that overnight stays should only be used for "necessary and explicitly not for touristic purposes". Germans are to "no longer take holiday trips at home and abroad".

The EU has closed its entire external borders for 30 days as from Tuesday (March 17, 2020). "All travel between non-European countries and the European Union will be suspended for 30 days," French President Macron said in a television address on Monday (March 16,2020) evening. The Schengen Area, which includes several non-EU countries, has also closed its external borders.

More and more countries are sealing their borders, and many flights are cancelled. With special flights Lufthansa and its subsidiary Eurowings want to bring up to 6,500 stranded holidaymakers from the Caribbean, the Canary Islands and on Mallorca back to Germany. In Morocco, the German government is assisting German tourists who are stranded there due to their return flights being cancelled.

On Monday morning (March 16, 2020), Germany introduced entry controls at the borders with the five neighboring countries: France, Denmark, Luxembourg, Austria and Switzerland. Border crossings will be reduced to what is strictly necessary. Goods can continue to pass through, including commuters, but not travelers without good reason. The duration of the measures remains open.

Whether Spiekeroog, Sylt or Rgen: Vacation on the northern German islands in the North and Baltic Sea is no longer possible as of March 16, 2020. Those who had already moved into their accommodation have been asked to return home. The health systems of the islands are not equipped to deal with large numbers of infected people. Regulations are to follow for mainland tourism.

Disneyland Paris and Disney World Florida have closed until the end of the month. Disney Cruise Line have also suspended all new departure through the same period. The company said the decision was made "with great caution" to protect guests and employees. The company said the parks in Tokyo, Hong Kong and Shanghai, which had already been closed, will also remain shut.

All ski areas in the Austrian provinces of Salzburg and Tyrol are ending the winter season early. Cable car operation will be discontinued as of Sunday (March 15, 2020). Hotels and accommodations will be closed from Monday. The provincial governments said that this should slow down the spread of the virus in the Alpine country. The two provinces account for most leading Austrian ski areas.

Due to the spread of the coronavirus, the USA is imposing a general 30-day travel ban on people from Europe. The entry ban comes into force on Friday (March 13, 2020) at midnight (local time). It does not apply to US citizens residing in Europe who have tested negative for the pathogen.

India has declared all tourist visas invalid for 1 month because of the corona virus. Only travelers who are already in the country are allowed to stay, the Indian Ministry of Health announced on Wednesday (March 11, 2020). The entry ban is to last until April 15 for the time being.

Climbing Mount Everest via the north side has been forbidden by Chinese authorities. The necessary permits for expeditions to the world's highest mountain were withdrawn on Thursday (March 12, 2020).

In order to reduce the spread, the border into neighboring Austria can only be crossed from Italy with a medical certificate. Slovenia has closed its border, and Albania has banned Italian air and ferry traffic. Many airlines have cancelled flights to Italy until at least 3 April. Germany, the UK, and Ireland tightened travel recommendations and called on their citizens to leave.

The Costa Crociere shipping company is cancelling all cruises in the Mediterranean for the time being. The cruises will be suspended until April 3, the Italian company announced on Tuesday (March 10). The measure affects thousands of passengers. Ships still operating in the Mediterranean will only call at Italian ports to let passengers disembark.

The dome and roof terrace of the Reichstag parliament building in Berlin have been closed to visitors since Tuesday (March 10, 2020) until further notice to prevent the possible spread of the coronavirus. The walkable dome and the roof terrace are visited by more than 2 million people every year, according to the Bundestag.

All ski facilities in Italy have been closed since Tuesday (March 10, 2020) due to the corona crisis. Prior to this, hoteliers and cable car operators in the South Tyrol region (photo) had already agreed to close their facilities. South Tyrol is particularly popular with winter sports tourists from Germany and Eastern Europe. The closure is effective until at least April 3.

The Czech Republic (picture) and Poland are carrying out checks at the border with Germany to protect against the spread of the coronavirus. Since Monday (March 9), travelers have faced random temperature checks. The German government has warned against travelling to risk areas. And air passengers from China, Japan, South Korea, Iran and Italy will have to expect controls when entering Germany.

On March 8 the Italian government issued an entry and exit ban for the more than 15 million inhabitants of the northern Italian regions, which include the key business center Milan and the tourist magnet of Venice (photo). Cultural, sporting and religious events are also banned for visitors. Museums, cinemas and theaters remain closed nationwide.

Repeatedly cruise ships have to be quarantined or prevented from docking. After cancellations in Thailand and Malaysia, the Costa Fortuna (photo) with 2,000 passengers, including 64 Italians, has been allowed to enter the port of Singapore. In Oakland, California, 2,000 passengers and 1,100 crew members of the Grand Princess are quarantined because 19 of them have tested positive for COVID-19.

Sights in Asia are particularly affected by travel restrictions for Chinese tourists. Hotspots such as the Senso-ji temple (picture) in Tokyo and the temple complexes of Angkor Wat in Cambodia are reporting a sharp drop in visitors. On March 9, the Ministry of Tourism in Thailand reported a 44% drop for February. Tourism accounts for 11% of the gross domestic product.

Author: Andreas Kirchhoff, Susan Bonney-Cox

The current curbs will stay in place until after Italy's Republic Day holiday on June 2 to prevent mass travel over the holiday weekend.

No quarantine for tourists

The measures are currently limited to residents in Europe's visa-free Schengen area, the government clarified later on Saturday.

Travelers will also not be required to quarantine for 14 days upon entering Italy after June 3.

The announcement was a major move for Italy as it seeks to reopen its tourism industry and salvage some of the summer vacation season.

Italy became the epicenter of the coronavirus in Europe in late February, enacting one of the world's strictest coronavirus lockdowns.

The country has the third-highest death toll in the world after the US and the UK, with over 31,600 fatalities due to the virus, although new COVID-19 cases have been steadily dropping.

Read more:Germany aims to reopen borders - what you need to know

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Italy to allow unrestricted travel starting June 3 - DW (English)

You would expect the sailing community to be more understanding than most others of the difficulties inherent in setting out any sort of comprehensible and feasible plan for the resumption of life in all its forms as the Covid-19 pandemic recedes, for our sport is an activity of many unpredictables. There may have been large pandemics before. But they didnt occur in a significant form in such a complex and acceleratingly busy a world as weve been living in since the turn of the century.

Thus you can certainly make plans and keep making plans, but it would be foolish to expect anything resembling a Fixed Plan, all-encompassing and set in stone.

In sailing a race, for instance, the variables of wind strength and direction, sea state, tidal conditions, and configuration of the fleet are changing in an infinite and endless continuum. Rigid plans are a delusion. We may not all be like ace helm Gordon Maguire, who is so aware of the relative wind changes that he can anticipate them in advance by some time, and sense them in real terms something like a fifth of a second ahead of getting the information from the electronics, all of which can add up to quite an advantage in a complex race. But even the most basic sailor knows that everything turns out at least slightly different from expectation, and we go forth in the fond belief that it might even be better than hoped.

Gordon Maguire (yellow jacket) helming Ichi Ban to Rolex Sydney-Hobart Race victory. It is his enhanced ability to anticipate and utilise the continuous change in the sailing environment which has made him Australias most successful offshore racing skipperEqually, in cruising, the overall Cruise Plan can be a burden which is sometimes best abandoned - or at least put into storage - at an early stage. But with a flexibility of approach, your may eventually find alternative and more enjoyable ways of getting to your original cruise objective, and there are few summers with weather so bad that even the most adroit cruise management cannot provide something satisfactory to reflect on at seasons end.

So in contemplating the return to normality plans being put forth by the five different governmental administrations in what the late Gerald FitzGibbon (Eternal Honorary Secretary of the Howth 17 Class) used to describe as the Anglo-Celtic Archipelago, we see differences in approach sometimes so marked that we can only wonder if they are all dealing with the same basic problem.

The Government in London may set out a general plan for England, but it is immediately sniped at for its absence of savvy about how the average household functions, with the point being made that their current Cabinet includes exceptionally few women, even though Margaret Thatcher as Prime Minister once said that any woman who could competently run a household can make a fair fist of running a country.

British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher she reckoned that the competent running of a household was excellent training for running a country.With this broad plan complete with too many specifics and hints at actual dates being run out and then changed next day, the various sailing and boating bodies have been making the best of it for their own areas of interest. Thus we find intriguing snippets such as the fact that family groups may do a spot of boating on their local waterways and canals provided they avoid using locks, where safe social distancing would be very difficult. But you wouldnt get very far on most English canals without transiting a lock. In crowded England, these are highly sociable places, where the habit of lounging ashore and interacting with the boat crews going through is so prevalent that those who do it regularly are known among the boat people as gangoozlers. Theyre a species unknown along the Shannon, our mighty waterway which is mercifully restricted to just seven locks, and has thousands of acres of clear uncrowded water.

The lordly River Shannon provides much better opportunities for social distancing than the typical English canal.For the unfortunate Welsh with their long border with England, yet with a higher proportion of at-risk people in their population, the extension of the Lockdown is insisted. But whether the Welsh can stop the English pouring over the border this weekend is a moot point. Even at the height of the Lockdown, a policeman in Llandudno in North Wales flagged down a be-leathered man on a large shiny motorbike, to be told that he was just out running an urgent errand. The errand was apparently to buy sausages. His point of departure? Nottingham.

In the Lockdown period in England, this has proved to be the ideal machine for nipping down to the shops for a packet of sausagesInevitably, away to the north, the instinctive hostility between the English and the Scots has been regularly re-surfacing. Its only a matter of time if it hasnt been done already - before someone quotes the quintessential English writer PG Wodehouses comment: It is never difficult to distinguish between a Scotsman with a grievance and a ray of sunshine.

Meanwhile the rather wishy-washy slogan Stay Alert has become national policy. At least theyd the sense to use this version. There are those among us who can remember some other crisis when the official exhortation was Be Alert. This didnt last long, as the local Voluntary Thought Police were soon adding The World Needs More Lerts underneath.

Whatever, already we are in the blame game, and on that count, we should remember the wickedly effective re-working of the pious thoughts of the famous American sports-writer Grantland Rice (1880-1954):

And when the One Great Scorer comes,To write against your name,He marks not that you won or lost,But how you spread the blame

That will be the theme in London and elsewhere for quite some time, and in contemplating the happenings on that larger island next door, some of us might incline to the scary thought that we are seeing the Romans becoming Italians, with the Dark Ages imminent, and with the occasional complete pessimist perhaps even wishing that St Georges Channel were at least twice as wide.

Social distancing, Cheltenham style. Even in imminent pandemic times, no patriotic Irish race enthusiast could be anywhere else.As it is, in retrospect there are two people across the water that we can blame for some of the Covid-19 in Ireland. One is whoever decided that the Cheltenham National Hunt Festival should go ahead, where the hazards were immediately obvious once it was under way. And the other is Jurgen Klopp. For had not Herr Klopp brought Liverpool Football Club to such a peak of excellence, their many Irish supporters would not have been obliged to mix at a crucial time in pandemic development with vast numbers of infective Spanish and Italian fans at the international championship fixtures that his inspired team management had made possible.

Jurgen Klopps huge success in managing Liverpool FC may have contributed to Irelands experience of Covid-19Even with St Georges Channel at only fifty nautical miles wide, and the North Channel even narrower, there still seems to be a really useful saltwater cordon sanitaire between Ireland and chaos, and while there has been the occasional squabble, the level of social cohesion and adherence to the rules of Lockdown in Ireland have been encouragingly high. But such a balancing act can be maintained for only so long, and people are climbing the walls in their hopes of getting back to some form of sailing, or afloat in some way.

Thus this week here in Howth wed a keen sea angler who thought he might get away with a couple of hours of his beloved sport if he launched his little outboard boat from an almost-forgotten ramp hidden away outside the back of the harbour. For although sailing is a complete no-no under total lockdown, as even the smallest sailing boat sticks out like a sore thumb, any little powered boat suddenly appearing past the harbour mouth is assumed by casual observers to be a local lobsterman going legitimately about his business, the launching and so forth having been well hidden from the real lobstersmen within the harbour.

Howth Harbour from the north. A little-known launching ramp to the west of the harbour was utilized by a desperate sea angler to launch his boat in secret, but an engine break-down blew his cover.But God is not mocked, as our Cunning Cod Catcher discovered. His engine wouldnt re-start when his fun was finished. So the Howth Inshore Lifeboat had to bring him in. But as there are so few clearly established laws and rules about how to act in this current exceptional situation, with no statutory body with any muscle to take responsibility and prosecute in some way, the Flexible Fisherman simply stayed absolutely schtum, didnt say a single word to anyone, and it all just petered out when everyone had to go home for their tea.

But after Monday (May 18th) were told that easing is going to begin, and soon those golfers who have been managing to slip under the radar (for weve ten golf courses more or less within five kilometres of here) will now be legitimate provided theyre maintaining Social Distance.

That noted mover and shaker in sailing progress, Peter Ryan the Chairman of the Irish Sea Offshore Racing Association, reckons the Social Distance two metre requirement is the stumbling block, and while Mark Mansfield of Cork has been thinking long and seriously about how to resume keelboat racing while complying with pillars of the current policy, Peter Ryan reckons the authorities are going to have to re-think on this one, particularly if valid testing methods can be securely in place.

Sociable times. Peter Ryan of ISORA (right) at the launching of a Race Sponsorship with John Rutter and Michael Martyn of Kona. But in the current difficult times, Ryan is looking at ways in which such socialising can be minimized in order to allow offshore racing to take place.Then too, we can expect mask-wearing to be mandatory. This is a pain for those of us who wear spectacles, as many mask designs cause our glasses to mist up, such that while we may be models of infection protection as we move about the place, its not a good look if youre trying to ride a bike, drive a car or simply walk on a pavement in keeping with current social distance requirements, as youll be more concerned with not walking misty-eyed into barely-seen other people or trees or lamp-posts or buses.

So where is our much-vaunted Sense of Freedom in Sailing in all this? Well, its still there when sailing is in its purest minimalist form, which has to be kite-surfing or windsurfing. This is pop-up sailing, requiring virtually no shoreside infrastructure, and you dont need a car, let alone a car and trailer, to get your vehicle into action. Its absolutely fine and about as socially-distanced as you can get provided you remain in control of the situation. But if you get into difficulties and require rescuing, youre immediately into a situation of intimate potential infection, and spoiling the sport for everyone else.

Kitesurfing in Dublin Bay. It may not be sailing as most of us know or expect it, but its the form of sailing which is most compliant with Social Distancing and other Covid19 requirementsMoving on up the size scale, the next least infective sailing sport is surely for someone who has his or her own driving licence and a tow vehicle and a versatile trailer for something solo-sailed like a Laser or the significantly lighter RS Aero, ideally with a beach to launch from, for at all times its the avoidance of sociability-encouraging shoreside infrastructure which is the key.

But if we move into any boat size above that, the anti-infection problems rise exponentially, and were very quickly into areas where intense shoreside socializing is an integral part of the complete sailing/regatta experience. Yet although the cancellation of the Glandore Classics in mid-July was something we could take in our stride, as it was in a sense linked to the already-cancelled RCYC Tricentenary Cork Week, the cancellation of Cruinniu na mBad in Kinvara, scheduled for the 14th to 16th August, was something of a wake-up call (and a shock) when it came at precisely 11.19 on Wednesday morning.

Dr Mick Brogan (left) with his Arctic voyaging shipmate Jarlath Cunnane at the Ilen Reception at the Royal Irish YC a year ago. It was with heavy hearts that Dr Brogan and his Committee decided this week that Cruinniu na mBad 2020 in Kinvara in August had to be cancelled. Photo: W M NixonFor mid-August is all of three months away, and with the current hopeful progress in handling the pandemic, we couldnt help but hope that Kinvara might be a real possibility. But the Kinvara chairman Dr Mick Brogan is a Connacht GP in addition to his many traditional boat regatta and voyaging credentials, he brought his medical knowledge to his Committees acute awareness of just how un-self-consciously and totally sociable the Kinvara gathering is, and they regretfully but decisively pulled down the shutters.

In fact, Kinvara during Crunnui na mBad is sociability on a scale which well matches the apres-ski scene in the Alpine village of Ischgi in the Austrian Tyrol, which was notoriously one of the earliest hotbeds of Covid-19 infection in Europe, and it would be tempting fate and rejecting the science to think that even three months hence, Cruinnui na mBad could safely be staged.

Hotbed of infection the aprs ski scene at Ischgi in Austria

Where social distancing is impossible aboard Mick Brogans traditional ketch Mac Duach at Cruinniu na mBad at Kinvara

But not all sailing events are so closely inter-woven with a massive social gathering ashore, and while its a bit rough on established yacht club hospitality facilities to suggest such a thing, in the extremity of our current situation, with enthusiastic sailors mad keen to get afloat, it should be possible to devise sailing events involving little or no shoreside infrastructure at all.

We discussed some aspects of this four weeks ago in outlining Peter Ryan of ISORAs thinking about the possible staging of the Dublin Bay to Cork Harbour Race as early as 31st July, and its a theme which can usefully be developed if the authorities dont completely put the kibosh on such ideas.

For the heart of it all is ISORAs offshore nature. It could be argued that its HQ is a waypoint midway between Dublin Bay and Anglesey. Thus all its activities can be totally offshored and certified disease-free. Its members boats would only be eligible to race if they can produce an electronically-verified medical certificate showing that all their crews are virus-free as they assemble aboard to race. Thus they will in effect become a healthy family bubble going sailing.

The ISORA fleet getting away for an offshore race which started outside Dun Laoghaire Harbour. Provided each crewmember is certified free of Covid-19, ISORA could provide racing without any direct reliance on shoreside infrastructure or facilities. Photo Afloat.ie/David OBrienAs for all the administration of the racing, it can be done with a fast and seaworthy committee boat (something like John Brennans new Redbay Stormforce 1650 as recently revealed on Afloat.ie would be ideal) complete with virus-free crew. The speed and seaworthiness are important as both the start point and the finish as monitored by this one boat have to be kept as flexible concepts, and while the use of a shore point for the other end of the start and finish lines is preferable to give the people on land some sense of identifying with the race, its not essential, and the South Burford Buoy in Dublin Bay and the Daunt Buoy off Cork Harbour could serve equally well.

Its appreciated that with such a setup, the temptation to simply keep the fleet in the Irish Sea and make up the miles with a course taking in the Isle of Man or other in-place fixed marks would be considerable. But we have to remember were talking 24-carat gold sailing history here with the 160th anniversary commemoration of the totally-pioneering Dublin Bay to Cork Harbour Race of 1860, so a bit of respect for some tradition is very much in order.

Meanwhile, theres nothing more exasperating than people insisting that they have to have a clearcut and transparent plan with definite figures and real dates so that they can confirm the arrangements of their own personal programme.

You would think that were facing into a busy summer with a hectic choice of May Balls, June Regattas, and July Gala Events. But the fact is, folks, were facing into a desert. Thus ingenious sailing ways of getting around this are now top of the agenda, but theyre not going to happen any time soon. And with scant rainfall since February, it may become a desert in more ways then wed like.

With some really imaginative thinking and compliance with restrictions, we may be able to ensure that this is not the memory we carry forward from the Irish sailing season of 2020.While many glassfibre boats may have been kept happily afloat through the winter in their marina berths, most wooden traditional and classic craft have been lifted ashore. Even where they are stored under good covers, the recent prolonged periods of bright sunlight, extreme afternoon heat, and exceptional night-time cold have been very bad indeed for their old timbers. Ideally, they should be afloat as soon as possible. But if that isnt permitted until some time in June, then relief can be provided with regular gentle hosing.

Yet already were being warned of imminent water shortages, and its only mid-May. The use of hosepipes might soon be severely curtailed. Could it be that - to add to all our woes - were going to finally have to accept that, for many years, we have been managing our islands unrivalled availability of perfect freshwater with the same expertise that the Venezuelans have been showing in the handling of their abundant oil reserves?

The restored Gleoiteog type Galway Hooker Lovely Anne sailing into the River Corrib off The Claddagh in Galway. The timbers of traditionally-built wooden boats like this are particularly prone to deterioration when ashore in hot weather and intense sunshine. They need to be regularly dampened at the very least, and ideally, they should be afloat

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Irish Sailors Need Flexible Thinking & Tolerance in Their Emergence From Covid-19 - Afloat

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) released guidelines on reopening nursing homes on Monday, with parameters around testing requirements and visitation while emphasizing that nursing facilities will be among the last institutions that can safely reopen as the U.S. takes tentative steps toward moving out of COVID-19-induced lockdowns.

CMS announced that states have flexibility on deciding how the criteria in the guidelines should be implemented, given the variety in how the COVID-19 pandemic is affecting different communities.

For instance, states can require that all facilities in certain regions meet the reopening benchmarks, or make the call on a building-by-building basis.

However, the agency adamantly recommended that nursing homes secure COVID-19 testing for all residents and staff before advancing through the three planned phases of reopening, or relaxing any restrictions.

CMS recommends nursing homes do not advance through any of the stages of reopening or relax any restrictions until all residents and staff have received a baseline test to establish that there are no known cases of COVID-19 in the facility, CMS administrator Seema Verma said on a call with reporters held Monday evening. In addition to the baseline test, we are calling on nursing homes to screen all staff daily and test them weekly. Further testing of residents may be necessary upon identification of coronavirus symptoms.

The factors CMS listed to inform the relaxation of restrictions on skilled nursing facilities include:

Due to the elevated risk COVID-19 poses to nursing home residents, we recommend additional criteria for advancing through phases of reopening nursing homes than is recommended in the broader administrations Opening Up America Again framework, CMS wrote.

These additional criteria include states surveying SNFs that experienced a significant COVID-19 outbreak prior to reopening to make sure the facility is preventing transmission.

In essence, a nursing homes opening needs to lag behind the general communitys reopening by 14 days, according to the guidance.

Adequate testing plans for SNFs a long-standing pain point in the COVID-19 pandemic should consider several factors. These include:

SNFs across the country have reported challenges related to the capacity to both secure testing and get results back; in New York, operators have expressed concerns about the ability to scale up testing amid new mandates, while laboratories in the state reported being overwhelmed.

PruittHealth, which operates primarily in the Southeast of the U.S., had to scramble to secure adequate testing for residents, and at least as of the end of April, did not have the capacity to test staff despite being able to scale up its testing resources considerably.

And the president and CEO of one of the largest nursing home operators in the U.S. said that while the SNF testing situation is improving, theres still a lot of ground to make up, given that most SNFs dont have their own labs and supplies for the tests have been short.

You have a supply issue, and a logistical issue, and a capacity issue all of which are improving, but by no means do we have the resources we need to test, to really identify where the virus exists and prevent the spread, George Hager, the president and CEO of the Kennett Square, Pa.-based Genesis HealthCare (NYSE: GEN) told SNN on May 5.

The testing methods might vary by what is available in a community, whether that includes a local hospital lab using high-throughput testing, working with state labs, or mobile efforts with a point-of-care test from Abbott which has separately drawn scrutiny over the accuracy of its results.

But at the federal level, CMS is comfortable with the testing capacity across the country, Verma said.

We feel that there is sufficient testing capacity available in all states, and so these recommendations and guidelines were put together with that in mind, the administrator said Monday.

LeadingAge, an association which represents non-profit senior housing and care providers, disagreed strongly with Vermas assertions, stating that the guidance from CMS is not grounded in the everyday realities.

We need funding to make both of those possible for the brave people who care for vulnerable older adults day in and day out, LeadingAge president and CEO Katie Smith Sloan said in a statement provided to SNN. Our members pay between $200,000 and $250,000 per week to test staff just twice a week. Thats $1 million a month. Nursing homes need help from federal or state governments to cover these necessary costs. Todays guidance delivers none of that.

The American Health Care Association (AHCA), which represents 14,000 nursing homes and assisted living communities across the U.S., expressed support for the new guidance and appreciation for the focus on testing in a statement attributed to president and CEO Mark Parkinson. But it also emphasized the need for support and funding for long-term care.

Moving forward, it is vital that all long term care facilities receive additional support and funding from state governments to conduct expanded testing, Parkinson said in the statement. We encourage governors to use the $11 billion that has been allocated to states for expanding testing in our nursing homes, assisted living communities and other long term care facilities.

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CMS Issues Guidance to States on Reopening Nursing Homes: Universal Testing Needed to Lift Visitation Ban - Skilled Nursing News