When will caravan sites and parks reopen in the UK?
THE UK’s caravan and camping sites have been shut since March, when Boris Johnson ordered the country into lockdown.
Officials ordered Brits to stay at home and not visit second homes, camp sites, caravan parks or similar, whether for isolation purposes or holidays. So what’s next for our “staycation” destinations?
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The UK’s camping and caravanning sites closed when the lockdown was announced in March[/caption]
When will caravan sites reopen?
It is not yet clear which restrictions will be eased first when Boris Johnson announces changes to lockdown.
Johnson is expected to announce that everyone can take “unlimited exercise” from Monday, May 10.
Currently people are only allowed to go out for one form a day.
But it’s not known if this will include outdoor activities such as camping.
Data from the Government’s Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies shows that any measures should be released gradually.
Here’s what the caravanning and camping sites say:
Some major operators appear to suggest bookings could be taken for mid-May, although this seems unlikely[/caption]
The Camping and Caravanning Club seem to be hopeful people could book breaks in August.
The website offers 50 per cent off on touring breaks for the whole family from August 31 to October 15, 2020.
Haven has shut all of its sites until May 31.
In April, the company said: “Coronavirus continues to affect the lives of each and every one of us – from our guests to our owners to our teams.
“As we continue to follow the direction provided by the Government it is now clear we will be unable to offer the usual Haven experience for a longer period of time, and so we have taken the decision to temporarily extend the closure of all our parks.”
Parkdean Resorts has also extended the closure of parks to holidaymakers and owners until at least mid-May, although it seems likely that decision will be revised.
Hoseasons also appears to be working towards the May 15 date.
Park Holidays is only taking bookings online for holidays beginning after May 14.
Company Holidaylettings.co.uk is reviewing its policy for travel after July 1, based on what will happen during what it calls “this unpredictable situation”.
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Away Resorts has temporarily closed all parks “for the foreseeable future” and isn’t accepting any new bookings until after July 3.
John Fowler Holidays has shut all parks until May 14, although this is likely to be extended.
How will social distancing work?
Again, this is unclear – there’s no real Government advice on this yet.
However, in larger resorts, it may be that customers can easily keep their distancing from one another.
In other industries, it’s been suggested there could be caps on the number of people allowed to use a particular site at any one time.
We know now that radical measures to prevent the spread of coronavirus in workplaces will be in place for up to a year.
Can I claim a refund on a booked break?
Some of the big companies are offering one of three options – a full refund, vouchers that can be used for a later holiday, or that customers simply re-book later in the year.
That includes Haven.
Parkdean is offering a voucher, with an additional 20 per cent ‘incentive’, or a refund.
Hoseasons is offering e-vouchers, and bosses say they’d encourage customers to shift holidays to a later date.
Different companies are offering different options for would-be holiday-makers[/caption]
Parkdean is currently only offering full refunds or vouchers for customers due to travel up until May 14, while Away Resorts offers customers due to travel up until May 19 the opportunity to move dates or opt for a refund.
Lawyers from company IBB Law say each park owner will have an individual contract with a holidaymaker.
This will feature terms and conditions which apply to bookings, and can be checked for cancellation rights.
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Some parks may have a term which means that they are not liable for any failure to perform their part of the contract if this is caused by unforeseen circumstances outside their control.
It is likely that the forced closure of the park due to coronavirus would be considered such an event.
However, most holiday bookings are likely to be covered by the Consumer Rights Act 2015, which prevents the park from failing to offer the service bought by the customer.
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