THE countryside in West Devon is now a no-go area for riders, walkers and cyclists — and Dartmoor National Park Authority has barred them from the moor for the first time in its 50-year history.
Yesterday, Devon County Council issued a declaration closing all public footpaths, bridelways and cycleways in rural areas.
Contravention of the declaration constitutes an offence which carries a fine of up to £5,000.
Dartmoor National Park cancelled guided walks scheduled for last weekend, as did Dartmoor Rescue Group, which was to have held a fundraising walk between Vennford Reservoir and Princetown.
Park rangers have been erecting signs asking walkers and riders to stay off the moor for the duration of the disease.
This follows last week's advice from the British Horse Society, which urged riders to take a responsible attitude.
There is no danger of horses catching the highly infectious killer disease — but they can carry it and infect farm animals.
l Devon County Council's mobile libraries will not enter the restricted zone for the next week and will visit farms elsewhere.
Routine highways maintenance has been suspended, plus monitoring visits of waste disposal sites.
l Schools have also been given advice by the county.
Children from farming families should only wear clothes to school which have not been in contact with livestock; footwear must be disinfected.
Farm visits should be cancelled, also walks and activities likely to bring children into contact with livestock.
School transport vehicles should avoid farm tracks and not enter farms and parents dropping off and picking up children should not be accompanied by pets.
If the disease spreads and more exclusion zones are identified, children from farming families are likely to be kept at home. School governors will decide if circumstances necessitate school closures.
l West Devon Borough Council has cancelled non-urgent farm visits — farms in exclusions zones will not have their refuse collected until further notice.
Refuse from other farms will be collected if it is placed on the nearest road — collectors will not use farm tracks.
Refuse and street cleaning vehicles are being power-washed with disinfectant twice a day.
The borough also warns people not to touch dead animals.
Caradon District Council is taking similar actions.
l Dartmoor Prison Museum has been closed while the crisis continues.
Roger Brown, director of regimes at the prison said: 'Obviously there's no movement on the farm, along with everyone else.
'There are also restrictions on the dogs, we can't go out on patrols with them.'
Working parties are still going out onto moorland, but disinfectant procedures are in hand, said Mr Brown.
l The Forestry Commission has closed all forests to the public within affected areas — warning notices have been erected. Public information can be obtained by calling 01392 283 262.