China and the major European countries, who are ahead of the Covid-19 infection cycle, are already exiting lockdown and it is widely anticipated that England will soon publish plans for a lockdown exit strategy to follow those recently issued by Scotland and Wales.

However, it has recently been confirmed by ministers, that the Hospitality and Leisure Sectors will be the last to re-open and who would want to jeopardise the enormous sacrifice of so many, for the premature re-opening of these sectors and allow the for a second or third wave of Covid-19 which would prove completely devastating for our industry.

Indeed, earlier this week we all heard Boris Johnson say he shared our urgency to relax restrictions and to fire up the UK economy but he was concerned that lessening control of the virus at this moment of maximum risk would require us to slam on the brakes across the whole economy and reimpose restrictions that would result in an economic disaster.

The view at NHHPA is that a number of steps for the re-opening of Parks will be introduced over the coming months and the opening strategy will only be endorsed by the Government if Parks can comply with Social Distancing and Health & Safety protocols.

NHHPA suggests that the first step will relate to Owner Occupied units such as Lodges, Caravans and Seasonal Touring Pitches.

Owner occupation could be classed as an extension of self-isolation at home with the benefit of holiday surroundings and the perception of ‘normal’ life slowly returning.

Providing owner occupiers adhere to Social Distancing and Health & Safety requirements, this proposal could be used as an indication of how the Parks Industry conducts itself and may subsequently provide the Government with reason to further relax restrictions for Letting, Touring and Camping Parks.

We will continue to send information and updates to you, our Fellow Park Owners, which we trust will assist you.

Kindest regards to you.

David Prince FCCA

Director