Caravan Sites

Consider opening up sites to allow owners/renters to take advantage of such facilities. Specific pitches already comply with social distancing requirements. On site bars and facilities could remain closed in the short term pending further easing of lockdown measures at a subsequent date.

Why the contribution is important

Adopting this measure will promote mental health and slowly contribute to economic progression.

by ianmac on May 05, 2020 at 02:50PM

Current Rating

Average rating: 3.7
Based on: 76 votes

Comments

  • Posted by SimonShearer May 05, 2020 at 14:58

    I think this is a good idea. It should also apply to self-catering properties and second homes
  • Posted by Boredtotears May 05, 2020 at 14:58

    Agreed. Owners can self isolate same as at home. Will help break the monotony and be more likely to remain in lockdown for longer.
  • Posted by alfie123 May 05, 2020 at 15:04

    Static caravans are spaced 3-4 metres apart. There are no reasons why people who own static caravans can't self isolate in their caravans just the same as they do at home.
    Bars or restaurants on site should remain closed until all bars etc. are allowed to open.
    Travelling to your caravan in your own vehicle will not present any risk of spreading virus.
  • Posted by Maztee May 05, 2020 at 15:09

    Agreed, personally this, has been affecting my mental health. I would normally go to my caravan every weekend! Great idea.
  • Posted by POR May 05, 2020 at 15:10

    Second homes should be available to owners. Hospitals are well able to handle any increase in patients as many are half empty so no reason not to get everyone on the go now
  • Posted by mickm1 May 05, 2020 at 15:13

    Ours still open in Dunoon but HNS workers currently using it. I absolutely do not have an issue with the site using their rented units but just trust the general public to adhere to social distancing. All amenities closed so we can safely isolate without contact with the public.

    As previously stated, can safely travel with no contact with anyone.
  • Posted by ianmac May 05, 2020 at 15:19

    Agreed.
  • Posted by Andrewck May 05, 2020 at 15:26

    Holiday homes should be available to use for owners. By their very nature caravans lend themselves to self isolation. Site bars and clubs etc can open later. Most sites in the country are located in the central belt and the vast majority of owners live within 1 hour of their caravan. This is not mass movements of people.
  • Posted by ianmac May 05, 2020 at 15:36

    Fully agree.
  • Posted by Loganberry May 05, 2020 at 15:38

    I’m sorry to be the first damp squib here, but living in a small community in the Highlands, with a very large caravan site on our doorstep the idea of ‘tourism’ is a very scary prospect. The thought of many many visitors and potential spreaders coming to our small community at this time cannot be justified, we are nowhere near safe for people to travel outwith their home location. I understand the logic of being able to self isolate in the new location, but local shops and services will still be needed by these visitors.
  • Posted by ianmac May 05, 2020 at 16:12

    Understand concern expressed but suggest your objection is not justified and you need to think of the bigger picture. Not all caravan sites are adjacent to “small Highland communities”. Sensible risk management is required and provided social distances are respected at all times I don’t see what the justification for any objection. A hint of NIMBYism I suggest!!!!!
  • Posted by russellkennedy May 05, 2020 at 16:33

    as a second home owner fully agree. what is the difference isolating in Glasgow or where ever ?
    people that benefit from the income of second home owners should think on.how long will your tourist spot survive if you have no income all year ??
  • Posted by Maztee May 05, 2020 at 16:41

    Hi loganberry you may find your local facilities and local economy is supported by the said caravans. Therefore may close permanently if caravan owners are not allowed to come back soon, which would in turn affect locals!
  • Posted by Loganberry May 05, 2020 at 17:03

    Oh my what a response, I thought this was a place to put my ideas, opinions and concerns, not a place to be ridiculed. These are my genuine concerns, just like yours.
  • Posted by ljk84 May 05, 2020 at 17:25

    agree
  • Posted by Nairnbeach May 05, 2020 at 20:00

    Hi Loganberry.

    I agree with you. It's too early to allow this. It would encourage people to travel long distances giving more opportunity to spread the infection. Although people would be following social distancing whilst in their caravans/holiday homes they would also be utilising local facilities and services.

    In Scotland the numbers of people in hospitals with Covid19 is still high and has not significantly dropped since its high a few weeks ago.

    I know that caravan sites will need to re open to help local communities but some patience is required to make sure that is done in a controlled and safe way. Remember that health for all is more important than the desire of the few.
  • Posted by mrsb May 06, 2020 at 02:30

    I agree with Loganberry, we have 6 caravan sites within an area of less than 16 miles and our nearest ICU is 120 miles away. I think we have a long way to go before tourism should be considered.
  • Posted by AlexMD May 06, 2020 at 07:51

    Should never have been closed down in the first place.
  • Posted by dalrob1964 May 06, 2020 at 09:33

    rural communities need to be careful and weigh up the cost of no tourists to mass unemployment. with social distancing, TTI and facilities onsite closed there isn't a reason not to open.
  • Posted by Robert866 May 06, 2020 at 11:58

    Where a site has touring pitches Motorhomes and Caravans should be allowed as well. Shared facilities could remain closed since modern campers and caravans have perfectly adequate facilities on board. Social distancing could be easily enforced.
  • Posted by DarrenRedfern May 06, 2020 at 13:45

    I agree totally. Static Caravans, touring vans and motorhomes have to keep far apart due to current fire regulations there would be little need additional measures for social distancing. Most modern units have their own toilets and showers, and therefore there would be little need to use any shared facilities. Indeed this type of holiday would be far safer than any other type of accommodation as everyone would be in their own box and using their own facilities.
  • Posted by AlexaJoy May 06, 2020 at 14:52

    Yes open caravan and allow campsites to reopen.
    These can be managed well to encourage social distancing.
    I do think with correct and sensible management by the councils responsible for these areas that a gradual re opening is needed.
    Perhaps limit the numbers accessing through bookings.
    I'm sure the businesses in these small places will suffer or close if this doesn't happen soon.
  • Posted by da10194 May 06, 2020 at 18:13

    Can't see any reason why we can't leave our home, drive to our caravan site and use our own caravan. Social distancing is social distancing regardless of the post code. Alternatively if the government is to continue with its ban on people accessing their own property they should commence a programme to financially recompense fees from which we have had no benefit.
  • Posted by Seymore May 06, 2020 at 19:22

    I support opening.

    Hard hit park owners and operators, and often wider rural economies, depend on seasonal income from holiday home owners. Over extending closures may have long-lasting and significant impact for companies and communities.

    No need to open bars, restaurants and shared spaces yet.

    As elsewhere, responsible behaviour and especially social distancing will be key.
  • Posted by Brendiemurphy May 06, 2020 at 19:28

    Agreed. Please reopen. Caravaners are hugely responsible and caravans are always at a good distance. This is a no-brainer.
  • Posted by Sorcha2222 May 06, 2020 at 20:18

    disagree more people in certain areas puts added pressure on local health services. And travel to these areas is not essential you could have a accident on the way to your selfish holiday and cause even more disruption to the health service
  • Posted by Phog May 06, 2020 at 22:10

    As a responsible Motor caravan owner who also lives in a rural area I do not have a problem with sites reopening if social distancing is still applied in wash /toilet areas and all bar areas if on site are closed.
    Units are always at a distance apart for fire regulations and rules would apply if out and about.
    This would allow some level of recovery for the businesses and jobs in this industry.
    Most real owners are responsible enough to make this work.
  • Posted by Magsathome May 06, 2020 at 23:32

    Caravan sites should be allowed to open to owners to allow checking of property. Modern caravans are all generally self sufficient and layout of sites generally accommodate social distancing. Other on site facilities can certainly remain closed initially. Second home owners should also be allowed to visit their properties, even just to perform the monthly check required for insurance purposes. As already stated by others, most owners generally live within an hour’s drive from their home/caravan and would simply be getting in a vehicle, drive and stay and comply with lockdown measures while there. Even if initially, visits were restricted to being only a few nights this would help general wellbeing as well as meet legal requirements of owners. Appreciate there may be concerns for more remote areas in Highlands and Islands where medical services are less prevalent, but for the central belt the risk is much less. I fear, that if some relaxation is not forthcoming soon, then more and more of these owners will simply break the lockdown rules, which is unfair on those who are patiently awaiting a formal change in guidance.
  • Posted by ANutchart May 07, 2020 at 07:09

    Allowing owners to visit static caravan sites would in my case facilitate the ability to visit parents. Social distancing would be the same as staying at home if not better given the remoteness of the site.
  • Posted by Sim1 May 07, 2020 at 08:17

    Social distancing is not an issue on a static caravan park, I think they should re open although any of the parks with entertainment or bars would need to consider keeping that part of it compliant with the wider national rules on bars and restaurants etc.
  • Posted by Clover1985 May 07, 2020 at 10:57

    Yes I agree open all holiday parks with the correct measures keep bars and restaurants closed if u want there are plenty of other places to get food . Children with mental health problems need there caravans for respite please consider opening them
  • Posted by NKTC May 07, 2020 at 11:53

    Disagree, unless the people owning the caravan live locally. Otherwise they will risk spreading infection into another area, as they wont stay only in their caravan but will go out touching things, shopping, getting fuel for their vehicle, etc.
  • Posted by lesleybruce May 07, 2020 at 11:59

    As a Motorhome owner I think it is far to early for this to happen. Living on the NC 500 Route in the north Highlands, we were over run with Motorhomes when the pandemic started. People from all over the UK travelling north to avoid Covid 19 ! Thankfully Lockdown sent them home. We have extremely limited health resources and allowing Caravan Parks to open is asking for trouble. Yes most people are sensible but only last week we had idiots wild parking. This is going to spread the disease into small communities and it will be a disaster for everyone. Whats the hurry people ? We have come this far please dont cause a second lockdown!
  • Posted by Goldfish May 07, 2020 at 14:18

    Allowing caravan sites to reopen, whilst keeping onsite communal areas (including communal toilet/shower blocks and bars/restaurants) closed and social distancing maintained would allow those suffering mental distress opportunities to ease their mental health difficulties.
    In the interests of disease transmission control it may be necessary to only permit caravan/campervans onsite which have their own onboard toilet facilities to keep communal facilities closed.
  • Posted by Jockd231 May 07, 2020 at 17:50

    Yes open caravan parks. They are just the same as a house with plumbed water and waste so self isolating is not a problem.
  • Posted by MTorrie May 08, 2020 at 14:26

    Can see both sides. I don't think opening caravan sites/travel to second homes should be one of the initial priorities as potentially encourages the mass movement of people whilst still in the midst of this virus. However as we come to the tail end(new cases low and manageable) of the virus perhaps this is something that should be allowed.
  • Posted by andbro May 08, 2020 at 17:05

    Agree. Static caravans are self contained and have sufficient spacing for social distancing. On site facilities do not need to be reopened until such times as safe to reopen.
  • Posted by user1234 May 08, 2020 at 17:11

    I believe people should be permitted to stay in their own private static caravan. In my situation my caravan is much more isolated than my home and I come into much less contact with other people there than I do in my house. It is totally self contained so I would not have to use communal shower or toilet blocks. It is also within 20 miles of my home so I would still be using the same main supermarket than if I were at home and also the same hospital should I fall ill so would put no more strain on the local area than if I was at home. This would help greatly with the mental ability to cope with an extended lockdown.
  • Posted by Dave May 08, 2020 at 23:49

    Disagree with this until T.T.I and reliable Antibody testing is in place - The issue is not social distancing, it's the fact that people can be carriers showing no symptoms.

  • Posted by JLMBD May 09, 2020 at 13:14

    Absolutely not. My elderly parents in their 90s live in the northwest and so far the areas of Gairloch, Ullapool and Lochinver have no confirmed cases of COVID 19. The have worked hard to create a community together and people who run holiday houses have cancelled the lets. They will only stay safe if outsiders stay outside. Please don't encourage people to travel long distance and go to areas of the Highlands that have many residents at high risk. There is one shop in my parents small community and if C19 was to reach it then every resident in the community would be at risk.
  • Posted by TG May 09, 2020 at 15:03

    While I do not think it is yet time to ease the restrictions on caravan sites I do think consideration should be given to a phased return in the future to help support those relying on tourism. One of the key points should be that only people from a set distance from a site should be allowed to visit so that people are not travelling hundreds of miles e.g. not move outwith their local authority area or healthboard area. Agree private statics & people using own caravans, campervan (& using only on board facilities) would be least risk but again with the proviso that they are not travelling vast distances.
  • Posted by C5tuk May 09, 2020 at 16:10

    No reason why this wouldn't work, caravans wither tourers or static on seasonal pitches already have there own facilities and are spaced out, would be easy to Social distance
  • Posted by Cathol May 11, 2020 at 14:14

    Open up second homes, caravans, self catering. Social distancing is essential. Individual responsibility is key. Limit groups to 10.
  • Posted by Christine1234 May 11, 2020 at 18:17

    No caravan parks should not be open, as a caravan owner I miss going to the van however, the risks are still to high, once R is below 0.4 then I would feel the time is right as the virus would be on well and truly on the decline
  • Posted by sl806e May 11, 2020 at 19:03

    Open all caravan and camping sites as well as self catering holiday accommodation and second homes. As long as people social distance themselves wherever they are then what is the problem?
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