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Braden faster / stuff
Pedestrians will be able to stay in the Department of Conservation cabins again starting Thursday, like this one in Awaroa Bay, in Abel Tasman National Park, but they will need to bring their own cleaning equipment.
Kiwis can hike from Thursday, with restrictions on how many people can spend the night in a shack.
All Conservation Department facilities, including cabins and camps, will reopen for public use when we enter Alert Level Two, with some changes including a maximum of 10 people in the cabins.
Nelson Tramping Club president Kate Krawczyk said there was no doubt that people were eager to get out into the mountains as soon as possible.
But despite the announcement, the club was unlikely to resume overnight travel to alert level 1.
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“I think we have all learned a little patience during this time and it is better to just err on the side of caution when following the daytime hikes at level 2.”
Krawczyk said it was difficult to practice social distancing in the cabins.
He was walking through the Sabine Valley during the norovirus outbreak in Nelson Lakes National Park in 2017, and said that even though people had the best intentions, the cabins were difficult places to practice good hygiene.
“One of the ways this virus spreads, is not necessarily on surfaces, it is sharing confined and confined spaces with people who breathe. I would not be so interested in sharing shacks with strangers at the moment.”
Krawcyzk said that in the coming months, with fewer international visitors, places like Abel Tasman would be great to visit.
“As much as we are dying to get out, we are also thankful that we have handled this whole situation so well.”
“One thing about mountains is that they don’t go anywhere.”
DOC Director of Heritage and Visitors Steve Taylor said; “This is a very positive development and will be a relief to the thousands of New Zealanders who have wanted to go outdoors.”
To maintain Government guidelines for meetings, the accommodation that can be booked is limited to 10 people and there should be no more than 10 people in any of the larger cabins that cannot be booked.
“Proper physical distance is required in all cabins: people must bring a tent to be safe.
“It is important under Alert Level 2 that visitors take responsibility for their own health and hygiene. We all need to take care of ourselves to prevent the spread of COVID-19.”
This means that visitors must bring their own cleaning equipment in and out of the area they visit.
“DOC will carry out our normal facility checks, which include some cleanings, however we are asking visitors to be prepared to clean the surfaces before use and make the facility suitable for other users.”
Visitors are also responsible for being able to track their own contacts during their visit. This includes letting a trusted contact know your intentions and putting your details in shack intent books.
The DOC’s accommodation reservation system will be open from 10 a.m. on Thursday.
Hunting can also be resumed on public conservation land. Recreational hunters will be able to apply online for a hunting permit starting at 5pm on Tuesday.
Concessionaires and community groups will be welcomed back to public conservation lands as long as they can operate safely and follow the guidelines of the Ministry of Health. Tourism concessionaires need an updated WorkSafe plan to respond to COVID-19. Community groups will also need to update their health and safety plans.