How To Travel During Lockdown

In these difficult times, the Covid 19 crisis has severely affected the activities of campers. Whether you’re in a campervan, caravan, van, or even tent canvas, curfew and containment periods have impacted your thirst for discovery and adventure. So how do you continue to travel by motorhome with the Covid?

Traveling by motorhome with the Covid – not only North America but Europe is very affected. However, despite people getting ordered to stay at home, having an RV has a great advantage. In fact, sales of RVs online through websites like Shoppok had increased as people prefer to stay at motorhomes rather than self-isolating inside their house.

Today, with most European countries in a restricted position, it is difficult to plan for new adventures in motorhomes, caravans, and RVs. And yet some of you continue to travel and make our dream every day!

Since 30 October, in order to limit contacts and displacements, France has been subjected to new confinement. Until December 1.

In the face of the Covid-19 epidemic, simple hygiene and common sense must be applied. But how do you avoid psychosis? And can we continue to be a camper?

The pandemic caused by the spread of Coronavirus around the world inevitably creates a form of psychosis that affects all people and weakens the economy, including the tourism sector. Should we give in to panic and stop doing a motorhome? Probably not. As long as the authorities do not prohibit free movement, it is always possible to travel on RVs. However, the WHO recommendations echoed by all health agencies must be respected. Simple gestures (washing hands regularly, sneezing in the elbow, blowing your nose in disposable tissues, not shaking hands, and not kissing) would prevent the spread of the virus.

Moreover, it is important, as France Head of State explained in his speech of 12 March, to “Protect the most vulnerable first.” Emmanuel Macron asks “all people over the age of 70, those with chronic diseases or respiratory problems, people with disabilities, to stay at home as much as possible. They will, of course, be able to leave their homes to do their shopping, to ventilate, but they must limit their contacts to the maximum.

It is obvious that we must avoid going to places where clusters (infectious outbreaks) are widespread. The regions most affected are the Greater East and the Ile de France in Europe. In the US, almost all states are affected and the only safer place to go are some rural camping sites.

• To limit the spread of the virus, the French authorities have taken drastic measures.
• Schools, colleges, high schools, and universities will be closed from March 16.
• Visits to EHPADs are no longer allowed. And as we write these lines, the Prime Minister has just announced that internal and outdoor gatherings of more than 100 people are prohibited.

In Europe and elsewhere in the world, states are reacting vigorously, even closing their borders. The Italian peninsula is plunged into total containment. Ditto for the province of Murcia, Spain. Morocco has interrupted all sea (and air) links between the two continents. Some campers find themselves stuck indefinitely in the Cherifian kingdom.

The Czech government declared a 30-day state of emergency on 12 March (and had been extended longer than expected). This measure leads to the reintroduction of partial border controls and restrictions on entry and exit from Czech territory. Travelers are advised to refrain from traveling to the Czech Republic in light of restrictions put in place by local authorities.

To keep track of the pandemic, Johns Hopkins University has released a constantly updated map.

“It is without hesitation the ideal tool to master one’s physical distance. For all those who prefer to avoid the crowds this summer, hotel lobbies and communal pools. But also for those who want to approach places of life while confining themselves to their own affairs, there is no doubt that the motorhome meets the needs,” says Benoît Panel, co-founder of the Yescapa website, which specializes in motorhome rentals between individuals in France.

Last year, 35,000 rentals were made via this platform and its fleet of 7,500 vehicles. But, it is still a little early to be sure that demand will be even stronger this year.

“For the past few days, the site has been very busy. Connections that don’t necessarily work. Visitors inquire, take a look but do not book. You feel they’re coming to see but they don’t really take the plunge. ”

This week “50 rentals per day are registered compared to 12 last week”: an indicator that says a lot about the possible surge in rentals this summer.

You should first know that it is a mode of vacation that requires means to commit to a rental that will cost you the same price as a week in an apartment, with an average of 85 to 115 euros a day, depending on the type of vehicle and its dilapidated condition.

In addition, improvising a motorhome getaway is not so simple, there is whole know-how to integrate as soon as the vehicle is taken over.

For some years now, Normandy has been in the top five regions most frequented by European campers. This year again, the latest barometer published by the network of privately developed areas, Camping-Car Park, places the region in 5th place of the French regions: “It is the 5th destination for campervans with 6.6% of holiday intentions and Normandy should benefit this summer from about 1.07 million nights. Campers show their preference for the English Channel (37%), ahead of Calvados (30%), Seine Maritime (16%), Orne (9%) Eure (8%).”

The English Channel is, therefore, the preferred department of campers, for its breathtaking landscapes, but also for the quality of its equipment in camping, private or municipal areas.

In order to continue traveling by RV, one must stay inside the vehicle when it is not necessarily needed to go out. Stash your RV with supplies and food, gas, and other basic necessities before going somewhere far from the public. If you are having difficulty securing your supplies, use online platforms like Shoppok to get them delivered to you.