No public access is allowed in accordance with DEFRA’s access restrictions. The northern end of the river Wey Navigation (from Weybridge to Send) and eastern end of the Basingstoke Canal (from the junction with the Wey to Woking) are also in the zone.

Boating can continue at present, but boaters are instructed not to stop or moor in closed areas.

Outside the protection zone, a wider surveillance zone has been established that includes the Thames from just downstream of Boveney Lock to Thames Ditton, the Wey south of Guildford to Shalford and the Basingstoke Canal from Woking to beyond Brookwood. There are no navigation restrictions in place, the towing path remains open and boating can continue as normal.

Across the whole of the protection and surveillance zones the IWA is encouraging people to moor in urban areas and to avoid visiting land with livestock if they disembark. The Environment Agency has prepared posters to put up at lock sites and handouts for boaters giving essential information.