Tramping illegal

New site to make things clearer. http://www.covid19outdoors.co.nz/

Much clearer Overnight doesn’t necessarily mean only one night 😉

I know huts are probably closed in level 2 but it's weird that the guidance doesn't seem to be stating that clearly. The notes at http://www.covid19outdoors.co.nz/ indicate that overnight tramping is allowed at level 2, but merely link to DOC's page at https://www.doc.govt.nz/news/issues/covid-19/ for info on DOC's facilities. DOC's page states that huts are closed under level 3, but even in its highlighted thing of what to expect in level 2, it doesn't stress that huts will remain closed. Am I correct in thinking that they will? There must be a lot of people who see "overnight tramping!" and simply assume they'll go and stay in the same hut that another 20 people will be immediately lining up.

Last I read they were still working out how to open huts safely. Contact tracing would be easy if everyone signed the book but we know how reliable people are on that They could remove half the mattresses but so many take there own now and if people arrive at a hut last thing they cant be turned away so what do you do. Fist couple of weeks huts are going to be like Maccas on the first night they opened. Ques to the road end. The dunny is still the big bug bear. Always has been. A bleach spray would help but will everyone use it? Truth is those that care about their health will. The current way of thinking has been clean after someone touches but a better way is to clean before touching. That way you know its clean because you cleaned it.

I really don't see how they could responsibly open huts given the official advice is to avoid strangers. @geeves you're right on the hut book side of things, compliance with that will be a big issue. It might be a case of tent villages around huts on walks that don't offer a lot of camping on the way to the hut or past it. I don't see the difference between that and staying in the hut. Not my cup of tea either way. Winter will play into it big time too, winter tenting is a most different prospect to staying in a hut. I'll be alone up some nice alpine valley in my tent freezing my butt off come level 2.

DOC are still working out the details of level 2 in parks its ok we all know each other, no strangers here. so they can open the huts, end of story

The only potentially viable scenario I could imagine would be to allow booked huts to open with a warden present to ensure that everyone present has been clearly identified and that surfaces get cleaned before the next batch of people arrive.

Covid19 can’t live on any surface in backcountry huts! Sandflies eat the virus, so we are all safer in the hills than at Bunnings.

@strider, thats very encouraging news. thanks for clearing that up. so no problem then.... no need for any more lockdown measures in the parks.....

The Incredible Link Between Nature and Your Emotions https://www.outsideonline.com/2397694/nature-mental-health