Park life Homing in Kelvin Reynolds looks at the effects of Covid-19 on our profession now, and in the future S tay at home. That is the critical advice that we hear and see daily on TV, radio, on social media and just about every online browsing session. A huge part of society has adapted the way they work, rest and play. For some, work has ceased: offices, shops, pubs, clubs, hotels and schools have been closed. But business is booming online, in supermarkets and for takeaway food businesses. In this edition of Parking News, there are stories of how the entire parking profession is responding to Covid-19. The BPA, too, has been homing in on what our members need working as hard as we can to listen, understand and provide support. Never before in our 50-year history has the BPA been so important to its members as we work together on a common endeavour. Members have been concentrating on delivering essential services, too. Weve seen some unprecedented changes in the way we administer transport and parking. MOTs and driving licences have been given automatic extensions; likewise Blue Badges and resident permits in many neighbourhoods. Time limits have been extended or even scrapped at supermarkets as people observe social distancing and take longer to shop. Little or no parking enforcement is taking place, except for the prevention of obstruction, and the need to maintain safe routes to hospitals and to support the supply chain for food and necessary goods and services. Like you, weve adapted. Were expanding our online services, reinventing our knowledge base and focusing on the essential and time-critical information you need right now. We are also supporting the national emergency. Weve overseen unprecedented collaboration among members and strategic partners in local government, national government and Weve seen some unprecedented changes in the way we administer transport and parking 42 britishparking.co.uk PN May20 pp42-43 Kelvin.indd 42 23/04/2020 13:16