Lack of transparency over 'new arrangements'
I have just returned from a sort break at the Southport site. The information from the Club over the ‘new arrangements’ at the site and Covid was vague to say the least. The available information described changes to the arrivals and social distancing being implemented at the amenities - that’s fine.
On entering the warden handed out a leaflet with the new rules, find a pitch, telephone reception with your pitch number and pay the site fees over the phone – also fine.
Found pitch, phoned reception told to collect welcome pack from reception. So had to go and enter reception to collect the pack containing keys, new rubber bands for toilet. So actually no difference on foot traffic in and out of reception on arrival!
What the Club didn’t explain was the reality of this situation and the new rubber wrist bands. The toilet block being restricted to a maximum of two people using the toilet/shower at any one time. The rubber wrist bands to be hung on the new hook outside the toilet door, and no one to enter if the hooks (all two) had rubber bands hanging from them.
Also new rules do not allow any visitors to enter the site (informed of this after arrival)!
For those who don’t know the Southport site; the site has 171 pitches and two large toilet blocks. The site was completely full during our stay. Therefore approximately 350+ members on site, with only 8 toilet/shower available at any one time.
Okay – the Club is asking members to use their own facilities, but WHY was this not explained before entering the site. Likewise – no visitors allowed on to the site.
I can fully understand the need to take precautions and reduce the risk of infection whilst also wanting to get back to some form of normality – but let’s have some clarity from the Club on the reality of the current changes and not leave this until after you arrive on the site.
Had we known of these changes we would cancelled our stay at Southport (which involved meeting up with friends and family). In view of our experience we are now reconsidering our bookings on Club sites for the remainder of the year.
Interestingly the C&CC have been totally clear and all of the amenities blocks are closed for the 2020 season. At least you know where you stand!
Moderator Comment - Moved from Story Section
Comments
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Welcome home from whichever Planet you have spent lockdown on. There has been all sorts of information on the website about what new arrangements have been put into place, and a full thread consisting of nothing but feedback from other members using Sites all over from 4th July onwards.
As for meeting friends and family, and the situation around controlling numbers in and out of public toilet blocks, surely your own common sense might have indicated that things might not be quite back to normal given that some 45,000 people have died, and there are still all sorts of restrictions and new working practices in place🤷♀️
Give it a couple of weeks, pray you haven’t picked up anything nasty, and then reflect that perhaps you did have a nice holiday after all, kept safe by the Club doing all it could.
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The standard CMC facilities are, in my view, high risk. Most comprise a communal facility with showers, hand basins and toilets all located under the same roof allowing for viral material to become suspended in the moist, warm atmosphere. The potential for airborne infection is now accepted by the WHO.
Facilities with individual, enclosed showers and toilets present a lower risk. I’ve spent the past few weeks on commercial sites who, for the most part, offer such facilities so I’m in no hurry to find a CMC site with vacancies! The dismissive comments made earlier in this thread, just demonstrate that some folks don’t get it.
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Paul
Had you initially posted this in the discussion area you have have seen this thread https://www.caravanclub.co.uk/club-together/discussions/sites-touring/uk-sites-touring/caravan-sites-opening-and-safety-measures-feedback/?er=P681521#P681521which covers many of the points you raise and perhaps is worth a read as there seem to be quite a few posts that give the opposite impression to yours?
On the no visitor policy surely this is just common sense given that we are in the middle of a pandemic? You have already mentioned that the toilet blocks are under a lot of pressure, surely visitors would make that situation worse? Is it not possible for you to visit your friends or relatives off site or even in their own homes?
David
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Very suprised at this post considering the situation that has been affecting the whole country (have you been in another world?)
The information that you have not read? has been on the clubs website for some time and is also given to each arrival in the packs that are handed to each
But then as you may have noticed? in the past weeks we are all on a very steep learning curve and that includes the whole of the liesure industry
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I can fully understand the need to take precautions and reduce the risk of infection whilst also wanting to get back to some form of normality
Had we known of these changes we would cancelled our stay at Southport (which involved meeting up with friends and family)
A bit of a contradiction there; reducing the risk of infection, yet meeting up with friends and family on a site? Surely common sense dictates that in the current climate visits from "friends and family" on a site isn't part of reducing the risk of infection?
There has been information on the website about re-opening of sites, and given that you know what was posted on the C&CC website, it seems odd that you didn't know anything about the CAMC sites info.
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Oh goody. The merits of public conveniences are to be debated. Size, design, air flows, flush system, soap dispenser design, door open and close mechanisms, staff cleaning routines, chemicals in use, blah, blah
Zzzzzzzzzzzz😴
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😁
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Don't for get the hot topic of the width of the seats versus the size of the hole in the middle.
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Living evolving(mutating) thing at that👍🏻. To have an ‘effective’ vaccine could be 2yrs yet🤷🏻♂️
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I am now caravan on my own since my wife died and my next trip will be my second. I have no doubt that my daughter will want to visit me for the day, as she did on my first trip.(I’m not to be trusted apparently). Under the new rules she would not be allowed to do this. If I paid one nights fee to make her a Guest rather than a visitor, would this be allowed.
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It may be perceived as rude, but it’s a very serious subject and I don’t think the occasion warrants flippant remarks. Maybe a second wave won’t be so funny? For me it’s a no-brainer. If you use a fully enclosed cubicle (wc or shower), especially one with a direct external entrance, then your risk is reduced. Cleaning is obviously part of the equation. However, showering with others plus people using the toilet (flushing with lid open) and cleaning teeth etc all at the same time in the same space, can suspend microscopic viral particles in the air. Contrast that with a enclosed cubicle. Risk not eliminated, but greatly reduced. I agree, using your own is even safer.
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what a mess....some sites you have to fish a rubber band out of a bowl of milton, some sites yuou get your own personal rubber band, some sitres allowing 2 persons in the facilities some 3, and dont start on how the system will be intentionally abused or just forgetfully abused, it would have been so much less hassle if the club had simply told all possible users of sites the facilities would be closed and you had to provide and use your own...full stop....
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I have just returned from two nights away at Tewkesbury Abbey C&MH club site. The site was full both nights so very busy but I really enjoyed my stay. I used my own facilities whilst there and was fully aware of the restrictions in place before visiting the site. I know some people don't have their own facilities, but I have to say I was amazed at how many people were prepared to queue to use the on site toilet block. On more than one occasion I witnessed up to 6 people waiting to enter. the toilet block. There is no way I would bother to go away at the present time unless I was able to use my own facilities. In my opinion, all toilet blocks should remain closed until the risk of spread of the virus has reduced a great deal more.
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Some of the replies are clearly missing the point of the posting!
The Club has opened sites, but have not been at all clear on the situation regarding the 'limited' number of people allowed into the toilet blocks at any one time, nor the fact visitors are not allowed onto the site. This information was only made available AFTER arriving on the site.
Following the argument regarding the continued presence of the Coronavirus - I agree the lockdown should have remained in force and sites should not have reopened at all.
They have opened, the Government has relaxed rules and you can meet up with friends and family.
It would be interesting to hear how many of the critics have actually been on sites following the lockdown and experienced what it is like?
Moderator Comment - That was exactly the reason why it has been suggested that you read the other thread as it does give real members experience on staying on a Club sites since they reopened.
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