CARAVAN sites will be able to reopen from next month in a huge boost for Brits eyeing holidays in England.
Boris Johnson revealed on June 23 that campsites are among those allowed to reopen in latest relaxation of lockdown rules.
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When will caravan sites reopen?
Prime Minister Mr Johnson revealed on June 23 that campsites, and caravan and holiday parks will all be able to reopen from July 4.
This is along with hotels and B&Bs, as the lockdown restrictions were eased once again.
This is providing any communal areas remain clean and Covid-19 safe, with the hospitality sector now getting a huge boost following a difficult three months.
Mr Johnson said in his statement to the House of Commons: "From July 4, people will be free to stay overnight in contained accommodation, including hotels, B&Bs, including campsites, as long as shared facilities are kept clean."
It has been a tough period for campsites, with Andrew Baragwanath, owner of Ayr Holiday Park in St Ives, Cornwall, saying: "We are usually open 365 days of the year.
"It’s the first time I’ve closed the park in my 30 years in charge.
"This April, my income was down 96 per cent on last year."
And with the news that they can reopen in the coming weeks, here is what the caravan parks, holiday clubs and camping sites say:
The Camping and Caravanning Club has revealed campsites in England and Northern Ireland will reopen on July 4, although in NI, they can open on June 26 legally. Wales and Scotland are expected to wait until July 13 and July 15 respectively, but this has not been confirmed.
Haven are reopening all their holiday parks in England on July 6.
Center Parcs announced that all UK villages will reopen on July 12 and Longford Forest until July 19.
The Caravan Club has said they will begin a phased reopening from July 4.
Parkdean Resorts has announced they will reopen on July 4 in England, with all owners being contacted by June 26.
Hoseasons announced it is now only accepting new bookings for dates after July 4.
Park Holidays is reopening its parks from July 4.
Company Holidaylettings.co.uk has said that free cancellation is being offered to all customers travelling on or before 31st July 2020.
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Away Resorts are reopening from July 6 and are offering refunds or option to move their dates if due to visit beforehand.
John Fowler Holidays has shut all parks up to and including July 5, and is offering refunds or rescheduled holidays.
Lyons Holiday Parks will reopen from July 6 and is currently offering 2021 holidays at 2020 prices.
How will social distancing work?
There is not much social distancing rules in place, except that communal areas must be clean and safe.
Otherwise, all normal restrictions are expected to be in place.
In other industries, it's been suggested there could be caps on the number of people allowed to use a particular site at any one time.
Ministers unveiled new "Covid-19 Secure" guidelines for shops and businesses.
These include social distancing measures and free-flowing hand sanitiser.
Can I claim a refund on a booked break?
Some of the big companies, such as Haven, are offering one of three options – a full refund, vouchers that can be used for a later holiday, or that customers simply re-book later in the year.
Parkdean is offering a voucher, with an additional 20 per cent incentive, or a refund.
Hoseasons is offering e-vouchers, and bosses say they'd encourage customers to shift holidays to a later date.
Lawyers from company IBB Law say each park owner will have an individual contract with a holidaymaker.
This will feature terms and conditions which apply to bookings, and can be checked for cancellation rights.
Some sites may have a term which means that they are not liable for any failure to perform their part of the contract if this is caused by unforeseen circumstances outside their control.
It is likely that the forced closure of the park due to coronavirus would be considered such an event.
However, most holiday bookings are likely to be covered by the Consumer Rights Act 2015, which prevents the park from failing to offer the service bought by the customer.
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