Health scare and trip planning

"The best laid plans of mice and men"  -  Several on this thread have mentioned the potential problems associated with traveling outside of your home country and then not being able to return.  Last fall we, along with some friends, put deposits on two camper vans with which we intended to tour parts of Europe.  Our friends left on February first for a three month excursion and the plan was for us to meet up on March 31st, and then tour together for the month of April.  Things were right on schedule until just over two weeks ago when it became apparent that Europe was no longer a desirable destination, and we cancelled our trip.  Our friends however, were already well into their European/north African holiday  They have been in Morocco for about 10 days and this weekend they called to tell us that Morocco has closed it's borders for at least the next 10 to 14 days.  They are supposed to turn the camper in on April 27th in Amsterdam.  What will happen to them over the next five weeks is anybody's guess.  They are optimistic and their spirits are high but again, "the best laid plans . . . . . "    

Traveling can always be an adventure.

Thanks for the story.

Keep us posted.

Frank

 

I always have it in the back of my mind that I have

a safety net of sorts.

I have an EU passport plus my US one.I have never had the need to use my dual

citizenship. Don't know if now is the time to test it.

  Things were right on schedule until just over two weeks ago when it became apparent that Europe was no longer a desirable destination, and we cancelled our trip.   

Good call I'd say. Neighbours on one side still left for Europe just over a week ago. Ones on the other side left yesterday with 3 young kids, not sure to where. Another neighbour came back from the US two days ago and has been in and out ever since (not self isolating as gov requested). Asked him if he has enough groceries and he said yes, he's just been running errands, visiting and stuff.

 

 Hard for people to change plans I guess.

 

Meanwhile some residents have gone rogue on the road to Tofino and set up a check point.

https://vancouverisl...fears-1.4856861

 

Just got word the Scottish Games have been cancelled. Expected that but with the recent snows I'm not sure there any good options for a quick getaway. 

National Park Service is closing most visitor centers. Parts of southern Utah, including Moab, have all lodging, including RV parks and private campgrounds closed to tourists. Just happened to stumble across these items and there likely will be more closings. Have not seen any indication of public campgrounds being closed.

Were planning to head to our cabin in northern BC in three weeks, but border is now closed.  Hoping it opens up at least enough to let us across before too long.  If we can get there, we'll be happily in isolation for several months.

National Park Service is closing most visitor centers. Parts of southern Utah, including Moab, have all lodging, including RV parks and private campgrounds closed to tourists. Just happened to stumble across these items and there likely will be more closings. Have not seen any indication of public campgrounds being closed.

 

Counties in SE Utah (including Moab)  have at least requested for there to be no camping on public or private land.   I am not sure if this has the force of law, but it should certainly be respected:

 

https://moabcity.org...ion-and-Updates

 

and the order itself:

https://moabcity.org...-03172020-FINAL

 

 

Effective at 10 pm (MST) on March 17, 2020, all overnight and short-term lodging facilities (including but not limited to hotels, motels, condos, townhomes, guest homes, RV parks, and all camping on public or private lands) within Carbon, Emery, and Grand Counties may only check-in, rent, or lease to Essential Visitors and Primary Residents. Essential Visitors and Primary Residents may utilize public lands for primitive camping purposes. No camp shall be located within 200 yards of another camp and no camp shall consist of more than IO people.

 

Edited by rando, 18 March 2020 - 11:57 PM.

^^ Likewise here. Parks Canada visitor service closing icld toilets. All national park camping, front and back country, closed until Apr 30.

Haven't seen anything about provincial parks.

 

But I note, here in BC, in the last state of emerg update the Min. of Health has called on the public to exercise their “civic responsibility” and be serious about social distancing, including staying home if possible. Number one on his list of measures for the public in BC is, Do Not Travel.

 

So that's it for me. I'll continue to follow here for indications that road travel is okay again.

We had reservations at Sonoma County CGs this weekend. They emailed to say they are closed as of 3/18, and would refund us, as limited staff could do so.

Many agencies are either closing or thinking of closing facilities, both to avoid having large groups of public, but also due to the inability to provide PPE and cleaning supplies to employees (or contractors unable to obtain same). Counties are also looking at exercising their authority under public health laws to limit or outright prohibit camping, etc. due to the public health threat much as the counties around Moab are doing.