Update April 6: There has been another change to the policy. Today, Governor Eric Holcomb has stated that all Indiana state park campgrounds are closed during this COVID-19 outbreak. We are still open to rent RVs to those are needing a place to temporarily live during this time or needing a “quarantine” unit (these are not medically approved units but can be used as a way to limit public contact). This could pertain to (but not limited to) medical professional – doctors or nurses looking to stay on site or stay close but separate from family, possible those working at power plants or electrical companies, basically essential personnel that need a “safe” place to stay. If you are interested in renting, please reach out to us to discuss the details. Please stay safe!
UPDATE April 2: As this situation develops, restrictions and advisories change day by day, so please stay attuned to current guidelines provided by your local officials. On March 23, Indiana Governor Eric Holcomb issued a stay-at-home order currently effective through April 6. However, as outdoor activity is still permitted, Indiana’s State Parks and campgrounds within the state parks remain open. Indeed, health officials recommend fresh air, physical activity and time in nature during this period to maintain both physical and mental health, as long as everyone adheres to social distancing advisories.
Given these parameters, families can still go camping by RV. Additionally, many healthcare and essential service providers require accommodations in isolation to keep their households safe. As RVs are a form of housing and therefore essential, we are currently keeping our business open per state guidelines to provide for these patrons.
At this point, campers with advance reservations are still welcome to camp at state campgrounds, but campers without reservations will not be permitted. Campers during this time will also need to keep some extra health guidelines in mind. In addition to what we noted in the original blog post above, please also avoid situations that would cause you to touch surfaces others have touched (like playgrounds), and wear gloves or sanitize your hands before and after touching items like gas pumps. If possible, stay out of shared spaces like gas stations and public restrooms, and don’t take extra trips to grocery stores to gather supplies for your adventure. Plan ahead and get everything you need in as few trips as possible to limit your exposure, and keep your ventures into public spaces as short as you can.
Additionally, please be mindful of limited medical facilities in the rural areas where we tend to camp, and take precautions to avoid requiring their services and contributing to the spread. Even a few cases of COVID-19 could quickly overwhelm these providers’ abilities to provide sufficient care.
If you are a healthcare provider or other essential employee who needs to isolate from the rest of your household, or if you’ve recently traveled or come into contact with someone positive for COVID-19 and need to quarantine, we may be able to help. An RV offers a well-equipped living space that you can park right in your driveway, close enough to see your loved ones but separated enough to keep them safe, or right at your job site. Get in touch and we’ll discuss options that may work for you.
Finally, planning an RV adventure you can take after the pandemic passes may help you get through these difficult times. On this blog and our Facebook page, we’ll share ideas for intriguing destinations you can visit as well as great RVs that can get you there and give you all the comforts of home. Give us a call and we’ll help you set up a future getaway.
What weird and uneasy times we’re living in. We’ve never dealt with a pervasive, invisible attacker quite like the COVID-19 virus or the changes that go along with it, and it’s pretty unnerving. The government and leading public health officials are all encouraging those of us who can to socially distance ourselves from others to slow the spread, and most of us are doing our best to keep the virus at bay. And so we wait. And we wait… And while most of us have not contracted the COVID-19 virus at this point, a lot of us are starting to feel the effects of cabin fever.
Fortunately, we can still go out and enjoy nature, although we’ll need to give each other a little more personal space on the trail for the time being. This virus isn’t oozing through valleys or lurking in the soil, so with proper precautions, it’s still OK to go out and get some fresh air. A lot of public parks are still open, and many campgrounds are as well. Although going for a fun road trip isn’t advisable during this pandemic, you could potentially take an RV to a campground with plenty of space between sites and use it as your basecamp for some thoughtfully planned outdoor adventures.
COVID-19 Virus Travel Recommendations
If you do venture out, the same health guidelines still apply. Wash your hands after touching shared surfaces, and avoid touching your face. If you need to cough, do so into your elbow and not your hand. Stay at least six feet away from others outside of your household members, and regularly disinfect frequently touched surfaces. If you stay at a campground or make a pit stop en route, clean your hands before and after touching anything, and use your camper’s bathroom whenever possible versus a public restroom. And of course, if you feel sick, stay home and call your doctor.
Our Gift to You
We at Williamson Auto & RV, LLC, recognize the unusual circumstances going on with everyone right now, and we want to do our part to alleviate some of the stress. We’re offering a 10% discount on all rentals that go out for the remainder of the month, and if you want to stay put for now but need something to look forward to when this passes, give us a call and we’ll help you set up a future getaway. Rest assured that we give every one of our RVs a thorough cleaning with disinfectant on commonly touched surfaces after every rental, and we do so with your family’s health and well-being in mind.
We hope you and your loved ones stay safe and sound while we weather this storm as a unified world. All the best from Williamson RV Rental.