Covid-19: Campsites could open from 12 April

Campsites in England could be allowed to open from 12 April under Government plans to ease the coronavirus lockdown.

But the timetable announced by Prime Minister Boris Johnson means camping holidays at Easter won’t be allowed and there's no prospect of foreign holidays until May at the earliest.

It also appears shared facilities on campsites will not be able to open until 17 May – which suggests tent campers will need to bring their own toilet and washing facilities or not be allowed on sites initially.

The Camping and Caravanning Club and the Caravan and Motorhome Club both said they hoped to reopen sites in England from 12 April.

In a statement on its website, the Camping and Caravanning Club said: "Our earliest opening date will be 12 April. We are currently clarifying guidance but it is likely that as part of this opening phase we will not be able to open facility blocks. Campers will need to have their own self-contained toilet facilities, until 17 May at the earliest.

"If we are unable to open facilities until the 17th of May, then our Ready Camp Safari Tents and Pods will not open until this date, again at the earliest."

The Caravan and Motorhome Club wrote on its website: "Following the UK government's recent guidance, we are planning to reopen all our Club campsites in England from 12 April 2021.

"We are however awaiting further clarification on the use of communal areas and shared facilities (including toilet blocks and showers) and will advise on this as soon as possible."

Mr Johnson announced a "cautious but irreversible" four-step roadmap out of lockdown when he addressed MPs.

The Government said self-contained accommodation such as campsites, where indoor facilities are not shared with other households, will be able to reopen from 12 April as part of Step 2.

All other overnight accommodation will be allowed to open as part of Step 3, no earlier than 17 May. Holidays abroad will be banned until 17 May at the earliest.

The ‘stay at home’ rule will end on 29 March but many restrictions will remain in place.

Holidays abroad will not be allowed to prevent the spread of imported variants but a new taskforce set up to review global travel will report on 12 April and it’s possible that overseas travel could be permitted from 17 May.

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