THE FOREST of Dean is closed and will remain so for many weeks to come.
The woodlands will remain no-go areas for a minimum of 28 days after the last locally confirmed outbreak of foot and mouth disease.
While the toll of cases continues to mount and pyres burn all around, the mass slaughter of farm and Forest sheep has been going on away from the public gaze on the road from Speech House to The Barracks.
Over 900 were slaughtered on Sunday and a further 1,800 on Monday. Around 400 were from the free-roaming Forest flock and many more were expected as the grim round-up continues throughout this week.
The remains had been taken away in sealed lorries to be rendered at a works in Exeter.
Local businesses are rocking under the strain.
While the main centres are all open tourists are staying away.
"It has been hard to get the message across. People like to combine a visit to facilities such as the Heritage Centre with a walk in the woods. They like to make it a day out and that is just not possible at the moment," said a spokesperson.
A local publican has expressed dismay at the Government's announcement of hardship relief this week.
"It's so much talk. The hardship relief comes into being from April 1 and lasts for three months. We are entitled to nothing for the last four weeks when business has been very quiet.
"Don't get me wrong, our plight is not as bad as the farmers, but we are being given no help and no guidance. We have lost a lot of trade over the past four weeks but it seems that as far as the Government is concerned that is just bad luck," he said.
For Forest Enterprise, Val Long said access to the Dean would remain closed until at least 28 days after the slaughter of the last animal from the last confirmed outbreak in the area.
"Obviously we do not know when that will be. It is a very complex issue and we are very much in MAFF's hands," she said.
Meanwhile the famous and increasingly large herd of Fallow deer will remain.
The herd now numbers several hundred but while they can contract the disease they have been given a "low risk assessment" by MAFF.
"With no-one in the woods and no barking dogs, they are becoming quite bold and have been seen much more frequently of late," said Mrs Long.
"Most people have been very understanding but we have had some abuse from a small number of dog owners who refuse to understand why they cannot take their animals into the woods," she said.
BURN SITE FOR COLEFORD
An incineration site has been established near Coleford to assist with the disposal of animal carcasses from the Forest and surrounding areas.
The site at the former MPB Forest Products works is due to begin operating this week. It will consist of three incinerators which will each be able to deal with 150 sheep per 24-hour period.