With Tasmania, South Australia, the Northern Territory and Western Australia now having imposed 14-day self-isolation restrictions on new arrivals into their state, many grey nomads are scrambling to work out what it all means for them and their travel plans.
The Prime Minister, Scott Morrison, has urged all Australians to re-consider non-essential travel, adding a further level of uncertainty to an already uncertain situation. Cafes, restaurants and pubs are closed … and a question mark hangs over virtually all aspects of the Australian way of life.
For those living on the road, key questions are basically whether they will still be welcomed in regional centres to help struggling local economies or whether they are effectively being told that the grey nomad lifestyle is suspended, and they should to go home or park up.
While grey nomads are anxious to do the right thing and be responsible citizens as the country and the planet face a once-in-a-generation health crisis, there are some legitimate practical considerations they face as they ponder their next move.
Many older travellers have sold their homes and belongings to travel Australia for an indefinite period, while others are travelling for years at a time and may have rented their ‘home bases’ out. Others may have to face two borders and therefore two periods of 14-day self isolation to get back to their homes.
Like millions of other Australians, long-term caravanners and motorhomers are understandably anxious to work out what it all means for them and what the right course of action is.
As various levels of governments frantically seek to address the crisis, looking at everything from the immediate health service requirements and economic impacts to stimulus packages, and movement restriction options, it is understandable that the details of all decisions will take some time to become clear.
But that doesn’t make the uncertainty any less easy.
The www.thegreynoamds.com.au will seek to get the answers to the questions being asked and disseminate the information as quickly as we can.
The Tasmanian Director of Public Health has advised that motorhomes and caravans are not acceptable locations for visitors to self-isolate. It is not yet clear whether WA, SA and the NT will take a different approach, given that these are land borders generally located in remote locations with limited hotels, motels and the like close by.
A spokesperson for the Northern Territory Government told the Grey Nomads it would be able to offer greater clarity in due course.
“The Northern Territory Government is currently finalising arrangements around border controls,” the spokesperson said.
With more travel restrictions likely to be rolled out in the coming days and weeks, grey nomads are watching developments closely.
The Grey Nomads has been overwhelmed with correspondence from anxious travellers and our website forum and social media channels have ‘lit up’.
“If all us nomads have only got to worry about going away for winter we are lucky,” said Suzie. “Look at people in Italy dying by the minutes … if we don’t stay home that will happen to us.”
Heather was equally philosophical.
“We were very excited to travel in our van this winter, and hoping for a month overseas, but not now … we are doing the right thing and staying home,” she said. “We will have limited outings and avoid unnecessary catchups with family and friends …. we’ll be catching up on all those little household jobs that we’ve been pushing aside for too long and I’ve got a mountain of books to read.”
Ann though had more pressing concerns
“I am grey nomad with no home address … I live in my van and just keep moving on,” she said. “I free camp to keep expenses down so what should I be doing?”
Frieda lives in Clermont in Central Queensland and echoes the concerns of many who live in regional areas.
“We are a popular winter base for recreational prospectors, many of whom are grey nomads, and we’ve been very concerned how our medical services would cope with extra visitors,” she said. “The Central Queensland Gemfields face the same issues … we hope when times are more stable, we can welcome you all next season.”
I think everyone just needs to calm down most caravans have there own toilet and showers so this premise that you can’t self isolate is purely ridiculous. What we don’t need is this it’s all about me rubbish that’s starting to rear its ugly head. Let’s just stick together play by the rules and we will get through as AUSTRALIANS do.
Well put Ken. Stop panic buying.Maxing out the credit cards for perishable foods then having to buy an extra freezer?Some people are bringing on their own financial disaster. Some WILL loose their jobs.Then how do they pay off the credit card?Travelers . Stay out there as long as possible.There is less chance of picking up the virus out there.
Actually Ken “ most” caravans do not have showers and toilets, a lot do, but not all. Even if they do, these people still need to visit dump points, fill up gas bottles, and replenish food supplies, it’s about exposing yourself, and others to the virus. Sadly this time it won’t be “ she’ll be right” . Think also about the people on the frontline in our health care system in rural areas, you may think being remote will save you, but it may not when you can’t breathe because of the virus and RFDS is already flat out.
It really has nothing to do with “she’ll be right mate”. We like a lot of nomads dont own a home so we cant go there. Very few of us can afford to stay in a Motel for the duration (unless your offering to pay the bill).
Every household HAS to go out for food at some stage, even the hoarders, its no good telling the world how to operate when its only looking at life thru your situation. Talk to the nomads and ask what they are trying to do instead of making rules that dont affect you or your pocket. Common sense is needed big time.
Ok so I do have enough water gas food toilet facilities to last two weeks self isolation then what I go to first place with peoplle
I go Home do I isole again sorry but the world still turns one person or a million people isolated still leaves twenty four million
Hygiene not isplatoon will fix this problem
Currently in WA. Wanting to get home to Melbourne. In a motorhome and unsure how the quarantine rules apply. Have rung hotlines with no answers.
My problem is actually the reverse..from Melbourne to WA…3 two week isolations?…not practical in a van…unless in a caravan park?…with other people?
Can grey nomad still travel around in their own state as we don’t have a home to go to as are caravan is our home, also are caravan park still open and take in caravans through out the state