Latest News COVID-19 Latest Friday 3rd July, 2020 Following the First Minister's announcement today of the lifting of travel restrictions from next week, we will be reopening Welsh Passport fisheries for normal online bookings as of Monday. Please bear with us as it may take a few hours to have all the fisheries open. All bookings, both in England and Wales, remain subject to the following additional conditions: Anglers should take every precaution when visiting a fishery to protect themselves and others from the spread of COVID-19. This includes staying more than two metres away from anyone else and washing their hands thoroughly when they return home. Owners always retain the right to close their fisheries with immediate effect. If the restrictions are changed by the Welsh Government, the Passport could close again immediately with all outstanding bookings for the restricted period cancelled and refunded. Tuesday, 2nd June 2020 On Friday, Wales’s First Minister Mark Drakeford announced a slight easing of some of the lockdown restrictions on movement, primarily with regards seeing people from different households. However, the “stay local” message remains for at least the next three weeks. A 5-mile travel limit was recommended although the First Minister advised people to use common sense and their own judgement in defining “local.” Those living in England were urged not to come to Wales yet. While this means those residing in England should not cross the border to fish, we will reopen participating Welsh fisheries where social distancing is possible but limit bookings just to anglers that live locally to a beat. Bookings will resume from today by telephone only (no online bookings). Every customer will be asked whether they are confident that if stopped, the police will be satisfied that their journey fits within the current Welsh Government guidelines. This is part of a phased reopening of Welsh Passport fisheries to fit alongside Welsh Government policy. Once restrictions on movement are lifted in Wales, we will reopen bookings for all anglers on Welsh fisheries where social distancing is possible. The final phase will, of course, be a full opening of all fisheries. Some Welsh Passport beats will remain closed for the time being, specifically those whose owners have requested they do so or where social distancing is difficult. In addition, we expect some clubs will want to reopen just for their local members in the short term. Otherwise, the following extra conditions apply to local angler bookings: Anglers should take every precaution when visiting a fishery to protect themselves and others from the spread of COVID-19. This includes staying more than two metres away from anyone else and washing their hands thoroughly when they return home. Owners always retain the right to close their fisheries with immediate effect. If the restrictions are changed by the Welsh Government, the Passport could close again immediately with all outstanding bookings for the restricted period cancelled and refunded. Once again, we urge all anglers to please adhere to the guidelines on preventing the spread of COVID-19 at all times. Thank you, The Fishing Passport team. Tuesday 12th May, 2020 We are glad to announce that as of tomorrow (Wednesday 13th May), Passport beats in England will restart fishing with bookings possible as of 6pm this evening. Passport fisheries in Wales will remain closed while full lockdown restrictions on travel are still in place that side of the border. Some English fisheries will also remain closed – specifically those where social distancing will be difficult to maintain or where owners have requested closure to continue. Otherwise, the following conditions apply: Bookings will be online only for the time being. Telephone bookings will resume once the Wye & Usk Foundation office reopens. Fishing on Passport beats in England restarts at dawn on Wednesday 13th May. No fishing is permitted before then. Anglers should take every precaution when visiting a fishery to protect themselves and others from the spread of COVID-19. This includes staying more than two metres away from anyone else, wearing gloves to open gates or climb stiles and to wash their hands thoroughly when they return home. If you have to stop for fuel, wear gloves when using the pump and use contactless card payment if you can. Owners always retain the right to close their fisheries with immediate effect. If the restrictions are changed by the Government, the Passport could close again immediately with all outstanding bookings for the restricted period cancelled and refunded. We expect that after weeks of lockdown, there will be something of a rush to make bookings. Conditions for Wye salmon fishing are good from Ross downstream. Meanwhile for trout anglers the Lugg and Arrow, although low, should provide some fun. Hopefully, we will be able to open the Welsh fisheries soon but only if this partial reopening is successful and providing we avoid another tightening of the restrictions on activity and movement. Once again, we urge all anglers to please adhere to the Government rules on preventing the spread of COVID-19 at all times. Thank you, The Fishing Passport team. Sunday 10th May, 2020 Following today's announcement on the changes to lockdown measures in England (but not Wales), the Fishing Passport will remain closed to bookings for time being as will the Foundation's offices. We will be reviewing the situation over the next few days as more details from the Government are released. Thursday 26th March, 2020 Following the Government's announcement on Monday evening of more stringent restrictions on movement, the Foundation's offices are currently closed with all staff that were based there working from home. Our 01874 711 714 number will divert to a home-based staff member, although we ask it is used only for urgent enquires until further notice. The [email protected] email address can also be used to contact us. Fishing Passport COVID-19 Update Following yesterday evening's clarity from the Government on what constitutes non-essential travel, we are closing the Passport to bookings with immediate effect. Full refunds will be available to anybody who has made a booking while the current restrictions are in place. We will review the situation when the latest rules on movement change. In the meantime, thank you for your support and we hope that you stay safe.