Campsites warn pitches could stay closed this summer – because they can’t cope with anti-coronavirus guidelines
AFTER months of lockdown we are desperate to Carry On Camping – but the lack of government guidance could scupper our summer staycations.
While caravan parks and campsites have been told they should be able to open from July 4, they are yet to get clear advice on just how to keep holidaymakers safe as we begin a new normal living with the devastating threat of coronavirus.
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Some operators are even being forced to cancel or pause bookings as they clamour for official advice and others are warning that they may have to keep their campsite pitches closed for the whole summer.
As we struggle to kick-start the economy, depriving campers of the chance to get out into the countryside and coastal resorts could have a catastrophic impact on millions.
Camping and caravanning is worth £6billion a year to the UK economy.
Delaying the reopening of campsites could put more than 44,000 jobs at risk.
As the Sun’s Travel Editor, I know just how important it is that we are allowed to enjoy our wonderful country again as soon as possible.
Families have been stuck indoors with children home from school for almost three months. My inbox is overflowing with readers asking when they will be able to get away on a longed-for break.
So the Government needs to act quickly to help an industry on its knees get back in business. The Government desperately needs to clarify key stumbling blocks that are hampering efforts to plan for a reopening in just a few weeks.
Let’s look at some of the issues:
HYGIENE: Virtually all campsites and caravan parks rely on communal showers and toilet blocks.
But where does the responsibility lie for keeping them clean to the standards needed to help combat the virus? Is it the site owners or campers themselves?
With cleanliness one of the key concerns around Covid-19 this is understandably a key issue.
OUT OF TOUCH
Gerard Tempest, from the UK’s largest holiday park provider Haven, says they are putting measures in place but still have no idea if they will comply with government guidelines.
He says: “The more notice we have, the easier it will make it for us to welcome people back.
“For our touring pitches for caravans and tents it is vital we know what we are expected to do to open communal facilities.
“In normal times they are open 24hours.
“But right now we are working on plans to have them manned from 7am to 7pm, with staff cleaning each shower cubicle and toilet between each use with anti-viral cleaning products.
“After that, we will still keep the facilities open but have sanitising wipes available for guests to clean the facilities themselves.”
He can only hope that that will be enough.
It is even more of an issue for smaller campsites and glamping sites, where facilities are the key to allowing guests to return.
Despite huge levels of interest in camping for the summer ahead, campsites may have to sell up to 50 per cent fewer holidays than normal to meet the public’s expectations for social distancing.
More than 75 per cent of those polled expect sites to close pitches in order to reduce guest numbers, with almost one in four saying guest numbers should be halved.
Martin Smith, owner of , a camping network with details of more than 6,000 sites across the country, says: “On top of the disruption to their year so far, they’re having to invest in site upgrades and many will cut the number of holidays they sell to create more space on site.
"Campsite owners don’t know if shower facilities are safe to open and what provisions they must put in place to protect their customers. They need clear and definitive Government advice to open safely this summer.
“Much of the information that has come out is geared towards sites that provide caravan accommodation that is self contained. But the situation for tents and glamping, where shared facilities are essential, is much less clear.
“Owners tell us that they may need to close their tent pitches and focus solely on touring which, for many, will make a bad year even worse."
OPENING TIMES: July 4 is the date in most operators’ diaries but, as many point out, that is a Saturday. Holiday parks and campsites generally work on a Friday arrival date.
GOING BUST
They argue the arbitrary July 4 date shows just how out of touch the Government is with the way the entire industry works.
Martin Smith explains: “Most would prefer to open a day earlier. Can this not be allowed?
“There are murmurs that it will be July 10 in Wales, which is a Friday.”
ONE-METRE RULE: The debate over whether social distancing should be two metres or one is raging, so what is it to be?
The difference is hugely important for holiday parks and campsites and could be the difference between surviving — or going bust.
GIVE US A BREAK
The Government is leaning towards one metre but so far has not made a firm decision.
Right now, the industry is basing all of its reopening plans on the two-metre rule, yet for many this will make restaurants and bars unsustainable and unprofitable.
Haven’s Gerard Tempest says: “All of our planning is based on the two-metre rule but should it change to one metre we’ll need time to adjust all our facilities.
“We need this information as soon as possible.”
What’s not in doubt is the nation’s appetite to get out and about as soon as possible this summer.
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A recent survey of 7,000 campers found 91 per cent want sites open by July 4 and 85 per cent expect shared facilities to be open when they arrive.
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The Government needs to give us ALL a break and come clear on the advice.
The very future of our vibrant camping culture depends on it.
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