FNHPA health procedures for reopening campsites in France

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The French camping federation, the FNHPA (Fédération Nationale de l’Hôtellerie de Plein-Air) has unveiled the general health guidelines to be applied in campsites this summer. These guidelines were approved by the French government on 18 June. The aim? To reassure holidaymakers and campsite staff.

The procedures below do not cover all aspects of the charter to be sent to campsites. This will include more details concerning water parks, and cleaning and disinfection of rental location and sanitary facilities, among other items. But they do give a good idea about the health guarantees for campsite staff and campers.

Specific measures concerning campsite facilities and services

Accommodation

▪ Promoting turn over in accommodation whenever possible, leaving as much time as possible between two reservations. This means that accommodation should be empty for at least 6 hours.

Cleaning: campsites should identify contact points where the virus might be transmitted and make use of adapted products, equipment and disinfection procedures; all contact areas should be cleaned and disinfected every time campers check out; all fabrics coming into contact with the skin should be washed for at least 30 minutes at 60°C (sheets, pillowcases, duvet covers) and, where applicable, tablecloths, towels and tea cloths.

Public areas (reception, toilets, etc.)

Reception: limit of 4 m² per person and 1 person per family; reorganisation of waiting areas; direction of foot-traffic flow; use of digital alternatives (tablets, mobile phones) wherever possible to avoid physical contact; encouragement of contactless payment or payment via applications.

Sanitary facilities: limit on numbers in public toilets at any one time with the maximum number of users given at the entrance (safety warnings); more frequent cleaning, ensuring points of contact with campers are disinfected (door handles, taps, etc.) and new cleaning procedures with specific disinfection methods; closure of facilities where physical distancing is impossible (adjacent urinals, etc.); customers to have the opportunity to disinfect or wash their hands with soap on entering the sanitary facilities and to disinfect their hands again wherever possible.

Leisure facilities: swimming pools, water parks

Maximum visitor numbers in the water park must be based on the rule of 4m² per person, including swimmers in indoor or outdoor pools and non-swimmers. A distance of 1 m in front, behind, to the left and to the right of each person must be respected at all times. This will sometimes lead to the number of customers in the facility being limited. Pool regulations must also be broadened to include preventive measures and notifications of rules.

More frequent cleaning and disinfection of surfaces and facilities in the water park.

Limitation or removal (when disinfection is difficult) of outdoor furniture (deck chairs, etc.) in order to respect social distancing and to make cleaning easier around the pool.

Access forbidden to water parks for anyone with signs of digestive orders or breathing difficulties.

Services (restaurants, refreshment areas, mini-markets, etc.)

Opening will depend on national health measures; introduction where possible of a delivery and take-away service, with customers encouraged to use their own containers; dining rooms adapted to guarantee a distance of 1 metre between each table; introduction of procedures based on the French Ministry's instructions for each sector.

Organisation of leisure activities for adults (yoga, water aerobics, etc.) and children (indoor and outdoor activites)

Leisure activites and games for campers (team sports, hikes in the forest, beginners' lessons, etc.): no team sports (beach-volleyball, football) involving over 10 people; ideas for new activities including social distancing measures; preference for virtual contests, activities and games to avoid physical contact; children's clubs to respect government recommendations with groups of 10 children at the most and to avoid mingling between groups (children should not change groups during the stay).

Measures relating to campsite staff

Appointment of a Covid-19 contact person: monitoring application of preventive measures and of ongoing measures linked to health and staff training; keeping track of stocks of equipment and products.

Staff premises and working conditions: adapting working conditions in line with the French Employment Ministry's recommendations; adapting staff rooms and kitchens.

Training courses: organisation of online training sessions for campsite managers with all members of staff to raise awareness about preventive measures and hygiene procedures (frequently washing hands, etc.) and to introduce them to the new procedures applicable in different areas (reception, restaurant, back office, etc.).

Use of protective products and equipment: distribution and continual availability of basic products (disinfectant gel and masks) to all members of staff; availability of additional products (gloves, visors) and introduction of specific protection (sneeze guards, plexiglass sheets) for staff with most contact with customers.

▪ Introduction of specific procedures for contacts with suppliers and service-providers working in the campsites.

Introduction of specific procedures to manage cases of suspected contamination: quarantaine of staff showing symptoms of the virus or returning from risk areas; for customers showing signs of infection, a specific isolated area should be provided while waiting for medical help; preventive isolation of anyone who has had contacts with individuals suspected of contracting the virus; cleaning and disinfection of facilities the infected person has been in contact with.

Measures to raise awareness among customers

▪ Raise awareness among customers before their stay: inform them of hygiene rules even before their arrival on the campsites via the website, e-mails; then provide customers with a printed version of the health and safety instructions when they arrive at the campsite. Encourage customers to bring their own masks.

▪ Specific signage: adapted markings (on the ground, walls or seating) to maintain safety distances; posters explaining preventive measures and health regulations in all public spaces.

▪ Raising awareness among children: launch of a communication kit for children to remind them about preventive measures and social distancing all through their stay.

 

To read all the health procedures for campsites and holiday villages, please click here (in French!).