Coronavirus and the countryside

The new government measures permit citizens to leave the house once a day for a form of exercise, which could include walking your dog. Although many public parks and open spaces have been shut, public rights of way remain open. Therefore, walking your dog in the countryside is still permitted, although you must still conform to usual codes of practise such as keeping your dog on a lead near livestock, and sticking to designated paths and public rights of way. However, current advice is that you should exercise from home where possible and not travel further afield for exercise. This means that you should walk your dog on fields within walking distance from your home and should not travel further afield at this time.

We advise you to be mindful of those who live and work in the countryside; consider avoiding paths that pass close to farmyards, homes and businesses, where residents may be especially vulnerable or self-isolating.

Ensure you follow social-distancing guidance whilst walking your dog, keeping at least 2m away from other members of the public and washing your hands as soon as you return home.

Access to public rights of way has not changed in light of new social distancing measures, therefore are still open for use. However, we advise you to be mindful of those who live and work in the countryside; consider avoiding rights of way that pass close to farmyards, homes and businesses, where residents may be especially vulnerable or self-isolating.

Some landowners may have put up signs, suggesting alternative permissive routes that pass further away from homes and businesses

NFU official position: “We recognise the importance of the public rights of way network for maintaining physical and mental health, but the health of those living and working in the countryside has to be safeguarded as well. We would hope that the public will heed the social distancing guidelines and use the rights of way network responsibly for essential travel and exercise. This is a very fast-moving and constantly evolving issue.”

Ensure you follow social-distancing guidance whilst out in the countryside, keep at least 2m away from other members of the public, do not meet in groups of more than two people (except if from the same household) and wash your hands as soon as you return home.

If your horse is kept at a livery yard, you should consult with the yard owner to confirm the position regarding visiting your horse and follow any guidance/policies they put in place regarding visiting your horse.

Bridleways, paths and all other public rights of way remain open to use, and both the Government and the NFU recognise the importance to mental wellbeing of spending time in the countryside.

However, in order to reduce the burden currently facing the NHS and emergency services, it is advisable to avoid exercise that may carry increased risk, such as jumping, hacking alone or working with ‘hot’ horses.

Riding will remain an individual’s choice, although lunging, long reining or ground work are good exercise alternatives to riding.

We advise you to be mindful of those who live and work in the countryside; consider avoiding routes that pass close to farmyards, homes and businesses, where residents may be especially vulnerable or self-isolating.

Ensure you follow social-distancing guidance whilst riding, keeping at least 2m away from other members of the public and washing your hands as soon as you return home.

The importance of maintaining the welfare of animals and livestock should not be overlooked, and owners are still permitted to travel in order to care for animals. If you are the sole carer for livestock, you should ensure a care plan is in place, so should you become ill and unable to tend to livestock, a nominated person will be able to follow the plan and care for the livestock on your behalf.

Whilst out visiting animals, you should adhere to Government advice on social distancing, ensuring you stay 2m away from other people, for example at a yard or livery. Wash your hands as soon as you return home.

Citizens are permitted to leave the house in order to buy food and your local farm shop may have a good supply of essentials.

However, check online before leaving the house where possible: some local shops have chosen to close temporarily during the outbreak, in order to protect staff and customers, and others are changing the way they operate (e.g. by requiring an order in advance or converting to a drive through model). If your local farm shop remains open, ensure you follow their individual guidelines on areas such as social distancing while shopping.