The Caravan Industry Association of Australia has urged the states and territories to consider cabin-style accommodation and RVs that meet the requirements to be included in their first stage of easing lockdown restrictions.
Under the National Cabinet’s newly announced three-step framework for recovering from the coronavirus pandemic, the first step includes continuing current arrangements for caravan parks and camping grounds, which are closed to tourists in some states and territories, while hotels and hostels can be open for accommodation.
It is only at step two that caravan parks and camping grounds are able fully open.
Caravan Industry Association of Australia CEO Stuart Lamont said that while the industry body was pleased with the National Cabinet’s positive messaging to a return to normal, it wants further consideration for roofed accommodation such as cabins within caravan parks and RVs with onboard facilities that include a toilet, shower and kitchen to be included in the first step.
“Caravan parks have the ability to manage social distancing, adhere to increased hygiene, have strong contact tracing procedures in place, and yet they remain lumped in with unmanaged campgrounds, who quite rightly should be opened in step two, but behind that is commercial operations which can demonstrate COVID-safe environments,” he said.
“Caravan park operators have been encouragingly quick to respond to plan and implement ways to be proactive in reducing the risk of COVID-19 exposure to guests and staff.”
“This is a failure of government decision-makers to recognise the diverse nature of what a modern caravan park is and how it can manage the risk. We urge state premiers and chief ministers to consider this in their response to easing restrictions within their jurisdictions.”
Featured image: iStock/Michele Jackson
