BVCD proposes perspectives to travel and stay safely on German campsites

For Germany, the corona pandemic is not only a social, but also an economic threat. Tourism in particular, and therefore also campsites, is affected to a considerable extent by the effects of the crisis. According to the BVCD (Bundesverband der Campingwirtschaft in Deutschland), the German Association that groups the camping industry, there is so far no evidence that German campsites are vehicles for the spread of the virus and the fall 2020 lockdown has shown that the causes of most new infections are to be found in other spheres of social life.

The BVCD believes that an orderly and controlled opening, from an epidemiological point of view, can help operators reduce the negative consequences of the pandemic. The Association has therefore published a document, which contains proposals and suggestions on camping stays during the pandemic, on the basis of which it would be easier to make decisions relating to camping management.

The BVCD shares the concept of restart contained in the “Sicheres Reisen im Deutschlandtourismus” of the DTV – Deutschen Tourismusverbands, the German Tourism Association. In the basic assumptions of this document, it sees the necessary prerequisites for local camping tourism to be proposed: the number of weekly infections must permanently drop below 50 new positives per 100,000 inhabitants. A simple system of traffic lights, with three colors (green, yellow and red), each of which corresponds to a level, would make everything clearer and simpler. This also means that protective measures could be more easily understood and implemented.

The hypothesis: three colors for three levels

Regardless of the level – green, yellow or red – the national directives which provide for the planning of protection and hygiene, the minimum distance, the obligation to wear a medical device to cover the nose and mouth, protection and control targeted visitors and customers (including access restrictions) are valid.

The green level (incidence value from 0 to 35) does not require specific requirements beyond the national ones mentioned above. Regarding the yellow level (incidence value from 35 to 50) there are limitations in the size of the group or the number of families who occupy or use a pitch together, or sit at a table in the catering area, in accordance with indications at national level. There are also restrictions on the number of people using facilities jointly or engaging in group activities (for example, entertainment and sports, as well as wellness and massage centers). Furthermore, upon arrival, each guest must confirm in writing that she/he does not have obvious symptoms attributable to Covid-19, that she/he has not tested positive for an acute disease and that she/he is not in quarantine.

The situation changes if the Level is red (incidence value greater than 50 new infected people per 100 thousand inhabitants). The structures in the red zone are not allowed to accept new guests, but those already present can remain (in particular the long stay ones). In addition, overnight stays necessary for work reasons and in particular uncomfortable situations are allowed. If the red level is applied in the guest’s place of origin, upon arrival at the campsite he must present the owner of the facility with a rapid antigen test or a PCR (molecular swab) with a negative result, carried out within the previous 48 hours. Alternatively, you can show a certificate confirming the completion of the vaccination.

Some clarifications

The place of origin does not necessarily mean the place of residence, which is certified by the identity document. In the case of a trip, the previous destination can also be considered as such as long as it can be demonstrated. If the weekly incidence value is the one that allows the stay – for example, green level – arriving guests can stay until the scheduled departure date, regardless of whether the value changes, as they are already present, and this does not increase further the risk. If, on the other hand, the incidence value at destination rises to the red level, new arrivals are allowed only until the weekend of the following week, while guests already present can stay until the regular departure, to ensure a minimum of safety planning for guests and companies.