How to escape Covid: Thousands are set to apply for volunteer posts on idyllic virus-free Lundy Island (but the only pub is still under Tier 2 rules)
- Lundy is advertising for five volunteers to assist the warden with conservation
- Promises ‘breath-taking land and seascapes, interesting and thoughtful people’
- Not a singular case of Covid-19 has been reported on the three-mile-long rock
A remote island off the coast of Devon is expected to be swamped with job applications from mainlanders lured by its enviable absence of coronavirus.
Lundy Island is advertising for five volunteers to assist the warden with conservation and land management of the National Trust-owned enclave next year.
It promises ‘breath-taking land and seascapes, interesting and thoughtful people and a wide range of fascinating and beautiful plants and animals’.
That not a singular case of Covid-19 has been reported on the three-mile-long rock could also tempt applicants from the mainland, where the virus is spreading.
Yet the successful candidates will still have to abide by Devon’s Tier 2 restrictions – and order a substantial meal if they drink in the Marisco Tavern, Lundy’s sole pub.
Lundy Island off the coast of Devon is expected to be swamped with job applications from mainlanders lured by its enviable absence of coronavirus
The job promises ‘breath-taking land and seascapes, interesting and thoughtful people and a wide range of fascinating and beautiful plants and animals’
Rob Waterfield, manager of Lundy Island, believes the restrictions are necessary despite the absence of Covid cases.
He told MailOnline: ‘If the virus was to spread on Lundy, nobody would be safe.’
He added that a small island would be the ‘worst place you could get an outbreak.’
‘We are part of the Devon region and so we abide by whatever rules the rest of the region does, we have people coming here from the mainland so it’s important we have the same restrictions.’
In what appears a veiled reference to Lundy’s non-existent pandemic, the job application says the roles would allow someone to ‘get away from the busy mainland and experience living on a small isolated island.’
Head warden Dean Jones said there are various measures in place to mitigate the risks, such as cleaning stations and a limit on the number of visitors.
The unpaid positions include two volunteer assistant wardens for the seabirds between April and July and two for the Atlantic grey seals between July and September.
No qualifications are required for the positions, but the warden is looking for volunteers of ‘a hardy nature’ willing to work long hours in all weather.
‘Additionally, applicants must also be willing to and be capable of working near cliffs and steep slopes safely,’ it adds.
Lundy Island is advertising for five volunteers to assist the warden in conservation and land management of the National Trust-owned enclave
The successful candidates will still have to abide by Devon’s Tier 2 restrictions – and order a substantial meal if they drink in the Marisco Tavern, Lundy’s sole pub
The volunteers will be put up in ‘hostel-style accommodation’ and lunch and dinner will be provided if they help with housekeeping or bar duties.
Mr Jones said: ‘Every day will be different. There are a wide range of tasks for those that volunteer to come to the island – for the assistant wardens it’s mainly conservation, and the monitoring of the seal and sea bird colonies we have here.
‘The positions are unpaid, but you get free accommodation – it’s a nice post for someone willing to give up their time.’
The island lost significant revenue when it was closed for start of the season in 2020 and as a result had to cancel some of the earlier volunteer positions.
It only has 28 inhabitants and relies on holiday tourism from the mainland.
Closing date for all applicants is on 5 February 2021 with all interviews held the week later that month.