Last Updated on April 7, 2020 by Jess
Send your news about the coronavirus pandemic if it applies to RVers to editor@rvtravel or submit here.
Thank you to all RV Travel readers who have sent us information, of which we have recorded a lot here. We’ve worked so fast, we haven’t had time to thank you all. So thank you! (You know who you are.)
Read yesterday’s comprehensive news coverage coronavirus pandemic and how it affects RVers.
* * *
The Forest River Owners Group (FROG) canceled the 2020 Tadpole Rally on April 30 to May 3, and the 2020 California Dreaming Rally May 20-26 in Hemet, California.
California Borrego Springs State Park, like other California state parks, is closed, as are most local businesses. The park is the largest in the state park system and very popular with RV snowbirds. Rangers have placed barricades over the entrance to most of the park’s 500 miles of dirt roads.
Closed signs are now placed on scenic drive on Capitol Reef National Park Utah. This comes on the heels of visitor centre closures, Gifford House and Fruita Campground.
The Santa Fe National Forest in New Mexico has closed all its developed campsites. Scattered campsites outside developed sites is still an option, and most fish entrances are still accessible.
Boondockers Welcome has added more than 100 locations where members can stay in their motorhomes for free. Some hosts are allowed to stay longer than a night, leaving RVers quarantined and/or hunker down if needed. Read more.
Shenandoah National Park is closed daily from 20:00 to 07:00 for all access. Skyline Drive is closed to motorvehicles from mile 0 at Front Royal to mile 65.5 on Route 33 east of Elkton and west of Stanardsville (Swift Run Entrance). Camping is closed.
The Fleetwood Motorhome Association cancelled the 2020 Western Rally, scheduled for April 8-12 in Yuma, Arizona.
Glen Canyon National Recreation Area in Utah has closed all public boat ramps on Lake Powell to protect the health and safety of workers and visitors and provide resource protection by reducing the risk of quagga mussel contamination to other bodies of water.
Not after measures in Connecticut in support of safe, solitary enjoyment of outdoor spaces can result in penalties ranging from a verbal warning to a fine of $5,000 and even arrests and criminal charges for disrupting or obstructing lawful civil preparedness activity.
Walmart is the newest retailer announce that it will limit the number of shoppers in an effort to promote social distancing. Stores will now “allow no more than five customers for every 1,000 square feet at any given time, about 20% of a store’s capacity.”
The Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission and the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife all announced the extensive closure of its state land to the public until May 4.
QUICK TIP
When ordering groceries online, then pick them up, it’s smart to disinfect the products when bringing them into your home or RV. Reader Gaila Mallery suggests this method: “I only disinfect the perishable goods and things that are needed that day I’m in the camper and leave the rest in the car for a few days [so any virus can die].”
All Idaho State Park campsites are closed until at least 15 May. The parks are still open for day use.
The Governor of Arizona has closed hotels and motels, but RV parks, which are considered essential businesses, remain open.
New order from Riverside County, California. You should wear a mask when leaving your home and not meeting with someone who does not live in your home.
Death Valley National Park, the largest national park in the lower 48 states on about 3.4 million acres, closed Saturday due to the coronavirus pandemic. California State Highway 190 and Daylight Pass are open to through traffic.
The Puyallup (Washington) RV Show, scheduled for 30 April to 3 May, has been postponed until 13-16 July.
Menards plans to start taking shoppers and workers’ temperatures soon at its 300-plus home improvement stores.
The CARES Act, the legislation just signed into law, temporarily loosening the rules on hardship distributions of retirement accounts, allowing people affected by the crisis to access $100,000 of their retirement savings without the usual 10% fine.
you don’t find anything in your local store? Amazon could have it.
HOW TO WASH YOUR HANDS
From the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), this short video Shows you the most effective way to wash your hands to get rid of germs.
WE APPRECIATE IT IF YOU ARE TO THANK US
planetcampers.com’s small staff is working overtime to get you the news about how the current pandemic is affecting RVers’ lives. In the meantime, most of our advertisers have stopped their campaigns because of necessity. We are able to continue because of our nearly 5,000 readers who have become volunteer subscribers. Consider making a promise today, however modest. UPDATE VAN DE EDITOR: If you are financially affected by the pandemic, take care of yourself: don’t worry about us. But if you’re okay, we could use your help.
New Facebook Group: How the coronavirus affects RVers. Get all-day updates on park and camping closures, canceled rallies and RV shows – and more. Talk to other RVers about what’s going on right now.
If you are a member of an RV club or are affiliated to an RV-related event would you like to let us know if its meetings, meetings, etc., are cancelled or postponed due to the coronavirus? We pass the info on to our readers. We appreciate all the news regarding RVing that is relevant to the current crisis. Send it in here. Thank you!