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Original poster

Why camp sites, but not holiday cottages?

28 replies

zafferana · 23/05/2020 12:21

Much of the government's CV-19 makes little sense, but to open up camp sites on 1st July, but not holiday cottages, makes zero sense.

Can anyone explain to me why a camp site, with shared facilities for many things, is considered a safe holiday option when a self-contained cottage is not?

OP posts:
ClashCityRocker · 23/05/2020 12:26

I thought they were opening self catering in July?

Zodlebud · 23/05/2020 16:18

I work in the industry. Holiday parks with separate accommodation e.g. static caravans are hoping to be open from 4th July but probably not the clubs, arcades, pools etc. The camping and touring side of things won’t be opening. Not sure where you got the information that it would be?

OP posts:
ClashCityRocker · 23/05/2020 17:41

But that doesn't say that self catering won't be allowed, just that camping will be.

I did just scan it so may have missed something. I know Haven et Al are working towards a 4th July date.

Ellmau · 25/05/2020 18:17

Maybe bc people bring their own tents but the cottage is reused by multiple guests? But then that doesn't account for @Zodelbud's saying static caravans are going to open.

Ginfordinner · 25/05/2020 18:18

But campsites have shared toilets and washing facilities Confused

Zodlebud · 26/05/2020 08:06

Static caravans can be thoroughly cleaned between guests and you have your own cooking facilities and bathrooms. Campsites you have people sharing loos, showers, washing up and waste water stations and it becomes a lot harder to maintain cleanliness. If you have ever been camping on a rainy day you’ll know how quickly those blocks get muddy even if they are cleaned super regularly.

I can see that for smaller campsites this might be manageable, but for us, with significant numbers of pitches, our camping and touring will remain closed, at least for now. Of course we hope to open as soon as possible.

funmummy48 · 26/05/2020 08:49

Touring caravans usually have their own toilets and showers. We can stay in ours without the need to visit the toilet/shower block.

Original poster
zafferana · 26/05/2020 10:20

Okay, so no one can tell why camping is supposedly safer! A touring caravan often does have it's own facilities, but it still needs to be hooked up to water/electricity and the toilet needs to be emptied surely? And for any kind of tent camping shared facilities are needed.

Yes, a holiday cottage is used repeatedly, but if properly cleaned between guests I don't see that the risk is any higher than with a static caravan - surely it's the same thing?

OP posts:
ClashCityRocker · 26/05/2020 10:29

I thought holiday cottages were planning on opening from July 4th?

I agree though. Also camp sites tend to have hordes of kids running around together, which is part of the attraction for some (kids making new friends, entertaining themselves etc) but not great in the current climate.

Original poster
zafferana · 26/05/2020 10:56

I thought holiday cottages were planning on opening from July 4th?

I haven't seen anything about a precise date for the opening of SC holiday cottages. BJ said something like 'later in July' if the R rate bla bla bla, but IMO a single, self-catering holiday cottage is the safest holiday there is. If it's just your family in one self-contained property, surely it's much safer than a campsite, which is multiple families, potentially from all over the country, on one site?

OP posts:
Littlepoppet1 · 26/05/2020 10:58

We had a holiday cottage booked for the 4th July, the booking would have gone ahead but we have changed the dates as didn’t feel happy to travel yet. All self catering holidays have the go ahead from the 4th July.

OceanOrchid · 26/05/2020 11:06

Perhaps fewer people go camping than use holiday cottages? If so, by opening only camp sites you have far fewer people moving around the country. Also, people who go camping tend to be healthier and younger (ime, though obvs I don’t have the actual data), so are less likely to become seriously ill and put pressure on local health services if they do catch COVID.

Original poster
zafferana · 26/05/2020 11:30

Tent camping I'm sure they are younger, but caravans and motor homes are mainly older people.

July 4th is not a firm opening date - it's 'at the earliest' with no firm date being given currently.

OP posts:
actiongirl1978 · 26/05/2020 11:53

@funmummy48 will you poo in your caravan toilet? We have a huge caravan and have agreed that two preteens plus two adults using a small portable toilet is absolutely NOT a holiday and would result in divorce!!!! That aside from the fact that the hot water tank only does two short showers meaning you cant condition long hair...

funmummy48 · 26/05/2020 14:16

As a rule, we don’t poo in our caravan toilet but we will if it means we can go away. Our waste tank can hold quite a lot but we’ll be careful what we eat. No curry or chilli. DH is bald and I have short hair so a quick shower will be fine for us. 👍

actiongirl1978 · 26/05/2020 18:13

@funmummy48 ah the hair is a clincher really!! Have a good break if you get to somewhere.

Zodlebud · 26/05/2020 18:43

The 4th July is guidance only at present. Apparently they are expecting an update this Friday as to likelihood. It’s the date everyone is working to though - it takes a lot of effort to get everything ready for opening.

catspyjamas123 · 26/05/2020 18:45

Static caravan or tent with no pool or other facilities? Why would anyone want to go when they have a house or flat already? Not my idea of a holiday.

TheHighestSardine · 26/05/2020 18:53

The reason it doesn't make sense is because it doesn't make sense. I wouldn't expect anything better from this lot.

I'm hoping the science advisory team make good on their suggestion that they'll go independent, and give real sane advice.

funmummy48 · 26/05/2020 19:18

@catspyjamas123 you’ve obviously never had the pleasure of camping or Caravanning or you wouldn’t need to ask! 😉 That’s not a snidey comment, I mean it nicely. 😁

catspyjamas123 · 26/05/2020 20:05

I did try camping once and hated it! I value a comfortable bed. Each to their own.

Original poster
zafferana · 27/05/2020 11:37

I'm hoping the science advisory team make good on their suggestion that they'll go independent, and give real sane advice.

Me too! I've actually given up listening to the government. I follow a couple of scientists on Twitter and that's the advice I'm working to. If anyone is interested in hearing really good, well informed scientific thinking, I can recommend the talk Devi Sridhar did for the virutal Hay Festival yesterday. I really wish she was in charge!

OP posts:
Bakedbrie · 29/05/2020 08:32

I own a holiday cottage managed by an agent. We’ve had some guests who are booked for June and are refusing to cancel or rebook their holiday! Given the industry doesn’t reopen til 4th July we will physically have to get the keys removed to prevent attempted entry!

Zodlebud · 30/05/2020 00:04

Still no update from the government but mutterings indicate it won’t be until the end of July before holiday parks / campsites can open.