Regulatory Reference Guide

MONITORING SITE FOR THE REGULATORY REFERENCE GUIDE

Welcome to the online Regulatory Reference Guide (RRG). It offers you the opportunity to search, sort and consult the rules impacting the recreational marine. The ICOMIA Secretariat invites all MIAs to check and update their sections frequently. We are sure that you will appreciate this very informative tool.

To browse the RRG, select a country and/or criteria from the dropdown menus

Updated date Country Criteria
June 8, 2020 Northern Cyprus COVID-19 Restrictions

"The Council of Ministers has extended the period of some restrictions and measures already taken due to the Coronavirus outbreak accordingly, whose deadlines were to expire as of April 30, including:
-The ban on entry to North Cyprus (TRNC) by sea for non-TRNC citizens has been extended until May 15th.
-The obligation to wear a mask will continue.
-The restriction on the working hours of markets places will continue (open till 20:00).
-After May 4th, a partial curfew will be imposed on Sundays. Only going out to a supermarket, a butcher or a petrol station will be permitted.
-Pharmacies and Banks will return to normal working hours from May 4th.
-The closure of places such as schools and study centres has been extended until May 15th.
-Cinemas, theatres, and events where people get together will continue to be banned until May 15th.
-Restaurants, cafes, bars, cafeterias, bakeries, buffets, tourism sector, hotels, accommodation, and other entertainment places and activities will be closed until 15th May.
-Until May 15th offices vital to the public sector will begin work using a method of rotation and under certain conditions. Services will be provided on the basis of requirement in the offices that the ministries deem necessary. In this process, the necessary flexibility will be shown for those in the risk group, such as working from home.
-Wherever possible, in buildings where people congregate, public services will be provided by an appointment system. The number of people who can be found in the building at the same time will be restricted, hygiene, social distancing, and mask rules will be observed.
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June 8, 2020 Hong Kong Government support of industry during COVID-19

The boating industry has been mostly ignored by The HK Government where it comes to financial help for the industry, even although the HK BIA has written to the Chief Executive and other government departments. Having said that the HK Government promised all residents a handout of HK dollar 10,000 each (US 1,280) back on March 3rd., It will be July before we can apply for it.
June 8, 2020 Thailand COVID-19 Restrictions

"Thailand has announced the Emergency Decree since 26th March. This decree prohibits international arrival, provincial crossing, mass gathering, closure of airports, public transportation, schools, hotels, bars, shopping malls, markets, national park, sport venue and etc, and enact a curfew from 20.00 to 04.00. All persons are to wear mask at all time.
Boats are to remain at port and not allowed to cross province or visit any islands. Marine tourism is prohibited. Marina is allowed to open but must provide mask to all staff, daily disinfected facility cleaning, make alcohol gel available, and facial mask wearing at all time. Restaurant can serve take away food only.
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June 8, 2020 South Africa COVID-19 Restrictions

South Africa has entered “level 3” lockdown which allows all economic activity at 100% with the exception of sit down restaurants and personal care like hairdressing etc. Boating is still prohibited but new boats can be delivered on their own bottoms to clients. Currently there is no access to beaches and no surfing or ocean sports activity permitted. The curfew has been lifted and the “exercise” window of three hours has been extended to twelve hours. There are still significant delays in the ports for export and import and air freight is still a huge challenge.
June 8, 2020 Slovenia COVID-19 Restrictions

Since 15th May the Government of the Republic of Slovenia was the first EU country to announce the end of the Covid-19 epidemic. Upon arrival in Slovenia, quarantine is no longer mandatory for EU citizenship.
June 8, 2020 New Zealand COVID-19 Restrictions

"New Zealand with a population of 5 million has approximately 200 active Covid-19 cases with 6 people in hospital and 19 people who have died. New cases are declining and there were 3 new cases today the 29th April. NZ closed its borders in late March when we had only a few hundred cases and the borders will remain closed to non NZers for the foreseeable future. On the 28th April most businesses and schools reopened. Restaurants and gatherings of 10 or more people are still not allowed but this is expected to be relaxed over the next couple of months. People are still required to stay in their home ‘bubble of family’ and not socialise.
Recreational boating is not allowed except for kayaking and rowing non-motorised boats but this is expected to be relaxed over the next couple of months.
The NZ Government is respected in NZ and overseas for dealing with the Covid-19 pandemic so swiftly and with tough rules
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June 8, 2020 United Kingdom Government support of industry during COVID-19

"Most of the support announced by the UK Government is live and now open for applications where there is a requirement to file one.

The grants for small businesses and those in the retail, leisure and hospitality sectors are one of many measures which are live. British Marine is aware that many businesses are now in receipt of these grants although some are encountering problems when attempting to confirm their eligibility with local authorities. The payments for each grant are being administered through local councils, as is the 12-month business rates holiday for eligible businesses in these sectors. The rates holiday officially started at the beginning of April.

Since the last UK update, the Government has launched the online portal to enable employers to submit a claim through the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme. Employers are using this portal to file a claim for a grant to cover most of the wages of staff who are not working but are furloughed and kept on the company’s payroll system. This scheme applies to all UK businesses, regardless of their size and includes staff on full time, part-time, agency, flexible and zero hours contracts. The Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme has been extended until the end of October following a high uptake and the Self-Employed Income Support Scheme went live earlier this week.

The temporary Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme and Coronavirus Large Business Interruption Loan Scheme are both open to applications and being delivered through a set of accredited lenders.

Other key developments include the announcement of further financial support for SMEs. The UK Government has subsequently announced a set of ‘Bounce Back’ loans designed to help small businesses manage the impact of the Covid-19. These loans will provide businesses with a loan between £2,000 and £50,000 and will come with a 100% Government-backed guarantee. These loans are interest free for the first 12 months and will be delivered through a network of accredited lenders.

Additional support for small business includes the announcement that the grants being delivered in England are being extended and receiving a further cash injection or ‘top-up’. The additional funding of £617 million is aimed at small businesses with ongoing fixed property-related costs. We understand that each company must be small and be able to evidence that Covid-19 has had a significant impact on day-to-day operations to qualify.

The key measure which is not yet live is the Statutory Sick Pay Rebate
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June 8, 2020 Canada COVID-19 Restrictions

"Most of the country has begun to loosen restrictions. The issue is that the decisions of what to close or open is made at the provincial level. It is not federally (nationally) directed. So, each region of the country is making its own decisions. Marinas are allowed to open across the country to prepare for the boating season. On the West coast marinas were never closed. Some provinces have allowed for boat ramps to open but not all. In much of the country the boating season will start in the next three weeks as the weather warms up.


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June 8, 2020 United Arab Emirates Government support of industry during COVID-19

"Layoff of workers is suspended for 3 months starting from March and government raised funds to pay €250 - €580 per month to employees that meet some criteria working in most industries, unfortunately none to anyone in Marine Industry.
All income and corporate taxes due in March and April taxes are postponed by one month.
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June 8, 2020 Poland Government support of industry during COVID-19

"Last week, the Polish government introduced a third plan to support entrepreneurs, such as:
Exemption from social security contributions and health insurance.
Partial state coverage of employee salaries.
Loans to employers to maintain cash flows from business operations.
At present, these measures concern small and medium-sized enterprises, but are likely to also apply to large enterprises.
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