Virtually the whole British waterway network for boating has now been re-opened to the public, but British Waterways is asking all boaters to help control the outbreak and limit further spread of Foot and Mouth disease by following some simple guidelines

All open waterways have clear access signs that will display one of the following:

• Level 0 – Open to the general public without any special precautions required. These waterways are mainly in urban areas.
• Level 1 – Open to navigation, with compulsory, precautionary measures required.
• Level 2 – Open to navigation, but requiring additional precautionary measures.

In Level 1 and 2 zones you should take the following precautions:

• Obey all Foot and Mouth signs.
• Follow appropriate disinfectant procedures at locks and when getting on and off your boat.
• Make a special effort to bag and seal all food and general waste.
• Dispose of all waste at Official Waste Collection points or in your dustbin at home.

British Waterways is also asking those who enter a Level 2 zone or those who come into contact with livestock on a regular basis to also follow some extra special precautions:

• Follow thorough disinfectant procedures before leaving for your boat and avoid contact with farm animals and some wild animals for five days on return.
• Leave your dog at home if at all possible, and never take the dog ashore.
• Follow the following disinfectant procedure before and after going ashore. It is best to wear boots: Clean the mud from your footwear before dipping each boot into a 6 inch tray filled with a solution of water and STERIL TAB, with a 2-inch layer of sponge at the bottom.

For more information, and an up-to-date list of the status of every waterway visit www.britishwaterways.co.uk