COVID-19 Update 31st March 2020
Loughs Agency has reviewed the most recent announcements from the governments in Ireland and Northern Ireland. Angling, like many other forms of recreation is not specifically mentioned. However, Loughs Agency encourage the angling community to follow the guidance provided and to keep up to date with the latest advice from the Public Health Agency (PHA) in Northern Ireland and the Health Service Executive (HSE) in Ireland.
Anglers, angling clubs and fishery owners in Northern Ireland are advised to adhere to government and Public Health Agency advice and new regulations which bring into force restrictions on movement. Under these regulations, no-one may leave their home without reasonable excuse. A reasonable excuse includes the need:
-to obtain basic necessities, including food and medical supplies;
-to take exercise either alone or with other members of their household;
-to seek medical assistance;
-to provide care or assistance to a vulnerable person, or to provide emergency assistance;
-to donate blood;
-to travel for the purposes of work or to provide voluntary or charitable services, where it is not reasonably possible for that person to work, or to provide those services, from the place where they are living;
-to attend a funeral of a family member.
In addition, no person may participate in a gathering in a public place of more than two people except:
-where all the persons in the gathering are members of the same household;
-where the gathering is essential for work purposes;
-to attend a funeral.
Anglers, angling clubs and fishery owners in Ireland are advised to adhere to the latest government and HSE guidelines which is to stay at home in all circumstances, except in the following situations:
-to travel to and from work where the work is considered an essential service;
-to attend medical appointments and collect medicines and other health products for yourself, your family or someone who is vulnerable or cocooning;
-for vital family reasons including caring for children, elderly or vulnerable people but excluding social family visits;
-to take brief individual physical exercise within your locality, which may include children from your household within 2 kilometres of your home and adhering to strict 2 metre social distancing measures.
The advice from both governments is to stay at home. We must all do what is required of us by the government and work together to fight this pandemic. This is about saving lives and supporting our healthcare systems and frontline staff. The Agency is encouraged by private fisheries closing during this pandemic and heeding the advice of the governments.
Loughs Agency offices are closed and we strongly encourage the public to engage with us using email and telephone. Loughs Agency staff will be, if possible, working from home. In these circumstances, there may be delays in replying to queries. We currently do not have the capability to facilitate the selling of licences over the phone or on our elicence system. We encourage the public to report illegal angling or pollution concerns through Waterwatch or through our 24hr response line Tel: +44 (0) 2871 342100.
