After months of lockdown restrictions, caravan parks with shared facilities can reopen to the public as of today (May 17th).
Owners of self-contained motorhomes, typically including a toilet and a shower, have been able to get away since April 12th, but those with a simpler setup have had to wait.
Over the coming weeks, many sites will open for the first time this year, looking to recoup some of the income lost during 12 months of disruption due to Covid-19.
Caravan staycations are likely to be more popular than ever, as they represent an opportunity to get away without having to navigate the uncertainty of green list foreign holidays.
Haven is among the operators that has been counting down the days until it is permitted to welcome guests back to its parks across England and Scotland.
It said: “There’s no need to travel far to find a little peace and we’ve got fresh air by the bucket and spade load.
“We don’t want you to miss out on your slice of the action, so book early to bag your spot on the Great British coast.”
With many sites being booked up months in advance for this summer, the advice is not to travel without a pitch confirmed.
Holidaymakers are reminded to follow the wider rules in place when embarking on a trip, which include a limit of six people or two households indoors at present.
Anyone itching to get away with their friends can enjoy the company of 30 people, as long as they only meet up outdoors, which fits well with the caravanning lifestyle.
While the move to reopening caravan sites with shared facilities represents a step towards normality, visitors will notice a number of changes.
Holiday parks are required to collect NHS Track and Trace information and will have processes in place to help mitigate the risk of transmission.
These include widely-spaced pitches, one-way systems and more regular cleaning schedules.
Photo credit: Unsplash/Waldemar Brandt
