You are frothing to get on the road and get out there, we all are. Level 2 has always been the the time we can FINALLY get out to go camping and do what we love. Well hold on a minute there, this weekend might not be a simple as we all had hoped. Where are you going to park up for the night?
NZMCA have opted for a cautious approach, stating they want to ‘assess’ for another two weeks before reopening their sites. Of course this coincides with the very real chance we’ll be at Level 1 and everything is open anyway. Here is their statement;
“Keen to ensure members are able to resume travelling, as permitted under Alert Level 2 of the country’s Covid-19 strategy, the NZMCA Board has decided to reopen the Association’s Parks as soon as it is safe to do so.That won’t occur immediately however; National Office has been given two weeks to investigate and establish a procedure that meets the Government’s requirements and ensures the health and safety of all members.”
So they are out.
Freedom Camping Sites; As you know from our post How To: Freedom Camping these sites are controlled by local bodies. It would appear that every local body is taking their own approach for instance all freedom camping areas in the Maniototo (Ranfurly area, Central Otago) remain closed until Level 1. Check in with the local Information Centre in the area you plan to go to if want to use Freedom camping sites.
And once again…gawd bless The Department of Conservation! They have reopened DoC sites under strict Covid procedures. Here’s their statement;
Our visitor centres, huts, campgrounds and toilets are open with special guidelines for use. How to keep yourself and others safe:
It’s important visitors take responsibility for their own COVID-19 hygiene and cleaning requirements:
- be prepared to undertake additional cleaning when using huts, toilets, and campsites
- you will need to carry your own cleaning and protective equipment to safely use shared facilities (including toilets)
- leave facilities clean and fit for use by others.
This is even more important over winter when our standard cleaning and maintenance work is carried out less frequently than at peak times of the year. We will undertake standard cleaning and maintenance work for the winter season.
If you are planning on using DOC accommodation:
- stay home if you are unwell
- enable contact tracing – tell someone before you go, and use the hut books
- practise physical distancing – 2 metres for people you do not know.
Bookable huts are capped at 10 people and there should be no more than 10 people at any of the larger non-bookable huts. At all huts appropriate physical distancing is required – bring a tent.
DOC huts and campsites cannot be used by people who are required to self-isolate.
Commercial Campgrounds; It would appear most are open, again ring ahead. Here’s what the Holiday Top 10 parks are up to…
