Safe use of caravan sites.

Caravan sites belonging to the 2 major clubs have rules in place that caravans are at least 6m apart, many are adult only, and if they have a play area these are normally in fenced enclosed areas.

The only problem is the sites with facilities blocks which house the showers and toilets. It would be difficult to have social distancing in these blocks.

Modern caravans and motorhomes are generally fitted out with their own toilet and shower, so I would like to put forward an idea as follows.

Caravan sites should be allowed to open providing:

1. Online booking, payment, and pitch allocation therefore avoiding close contact with staff.
2. Facilities blocks should remain shut.
3. Only users with their own on board facilities can book and stay.

Worth noting that membership does detail a persons age and home address, so restricting certain groups would be possible during the booking process.

Also worth mentioning is there is a sizeable network of farms which have areas set aside for caravans, which do not have facilities blocks, only allow 5 units, and distancing has always been the norm with pitches again spaced at 6m.

Why the contribution is important

Allows for some people to have a relaxing and enjoyable break from the current restrictions without increasing the risk to themselves or others pursuing this recreation.

A strategy is needed for both the sector and also those subscribed to it as their main means of recreation.

Provides a potential 'no contact' form of supporting a valuable Scottish industry.

I also feel that this sector has already very good controls in place regarding distancing and social interaction.

by IainG on May 05, 2020 at 02:59PM

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Average rating: 3.8
Based on: 7 votes

Comments

  • Posted by HMW1956 May 05, 2020 at 17:53

    Re-open caravan parks. Restaurants therein to be used on bookings application only and limit half the capacity of the restaurants/bars at any one time.
    Same rule to apply for other common areas like shower rooms.
  • Posted by Robert866 May 06, 2020 at 12:12

    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 13:46

    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 Seymore May 06, 2020 at 19:20

    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 elmrow May 07, 2020 at 10:37

    I don't agree with this. To open up a caravan park is to give the green light to extensive travel across Scotland. We are still seeing camper vans on roads in Highlands - with no police resource to stop and check them. Local operators voices are being lost in this. Majority of local operators in rural areas like the Highlands have had to take measures into their own hands by physically blocking the entrance of their caravan parks after members of the public continued to turn up in breach of lockdown rules. If caravan parks are allowed to open - how do we possibly monitor for adherence to the policy ie with limited police resource, how do we ensure that we know which campervans are allowed on the road (travelling reasonable distances) and those that arent (travelling 100s of miles and making multiple stops).
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