Please send your news about the coronavirus pandemic as it applies to RVers to editor@rvtravel or submit it here.
Thank you to all the RV Travel readers who have sent us information, much of which we have included here. We have been working so fast that we have not had time to thank you all. So thank you! (You know who you are.)
Read yesterday’s extensive news coverage of the coronavirus pandemic and how it’s affecting RVers.
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FMCA, the Family Motor Coach Association, recently cancelled its March 26-29 International Rally & RV Expo in Tucson, Arizona. Now, it says losses of hundreds of thousands of dollars is justification to deny refunds to members who prepaid their registration fees, some as much as $1,000. Instead, the club is issuing certificates good at future International Convention & RV Expos, the next one a year away in Perry, Georgia. FMCA had no event cancellation insurance on the Tucson event. We’ll have more about this in next Sunday’s newsletter.
The state of New Mexico was the first to close its state park campgrounds, through April 9. Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham has authorized that RV parks may operate at 50 percent capacity.
Cape May County, N.J., Health Officer Kevin Thomas is recommending that local campground owners and operators delay the opening of countywide campgrounds until May 11.
Port of Brookings (Oregon) Harbor commissioners have temporarily closed the Beachfront RV Park but kept open access to Sporthaven Beach, the boat launch and boat docks during a special meeting Tuesday morning, March 24.
The Indiana State Department of Health on Wednesday reported a fifth case of COVID-19Â in Elkhart County, Indiana, where 80% of American RVs are manufactured.
The Facebook Group Displaced Nomads and Full-time RVers Relocation Resource has many postings for available RV sites on private land.
Tennessee is closing its state parks except for day use, from 7:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., until at least April10. Those that are already there have to vacate by Friday at 4:30 p.m.
As of last Sunday at New Mexico’s Bandelier National Monument, Juniper and Ponderosa campgrounds are closed.
Big Bend National Park in Texas has closed all overnight camping and lodging. The park remains open for day use.
Manufacturing and distribution from Thetford Corporation have been suspended.
Missouri State Parks (MSP) will temporarily close all campgrounds and lodging March 27 to April 30. The closure includes campgrounds, park-run lodging and concessionaire-run lodging. The parks’ day-use areas will remain open to the public, including boat ramps and trails. MSP operates 91 state parks and historic sites throughout the state.
Campgrounds at Chickasaw National Recreation area in Oklahoma are temporarily closed.
South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster is asking all out-of-state visitors who plan a two-night stay or longer to immediately self-quarantine for two weeks upon arrival.
The South Rim Campground and Visitor Center are closed until further notice at Colorado’s Black Canyon of The Gunnison National Park to help prevent the spread of COVID-19.
HOUSEHOLD & HAND SANITIZERS. If you’re concerned about keeping germs away, there are plenty of products here to do the job.
Coronavirus restrictions prohibiting large group gatherings have prompted most state campground associations to postpone their annual spring conventions until summer and fall, although a handful have not yet set new dates.
The Fruita campground at Utah’s Capitol Reef National Park is closed.
The Campground and Visitor Center at Chiricahua National Monument in Arizona are temporarily closed. The scenic drive, trails and selected restrooms are open.
The cavern at Carlsbad Caverns National Park is closed. Ditto the Visitor Center and other services.
The Gallo Campground at Chaco Canyon National Historical Park in New Mexico is closed until further notice.
Campers in Louisiana State Parks and historic sites are frustrated that they must leave by today (Thursday). According to the Office of State Parks, all buildings and overnight facilities will be temporally closed until April 13.
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RVtravel.com is working overtime to bring you the news about how the current pandemic is affecting the lives of RVers. In the meantime, most of our advertisers have stopped their campaigns due to necessity. We are able to continue because of our nearly 5,000 readers who have become voluntary subscribers. Please consider making a pledge today, no matter how modest. UPDATE FROM THE EDITOR: If you are being hit financially by the pandemic, please take care of yourself: don’t worry about us. But if you are doing okay, we could use your help.
New Facebook Group:  How the coronavirus is impacting RVers. Get updates throughout the day about park and campground closings, cancelled rallies and RV shows — and more. Join in the conversation with other RVers about what’s on all our minds right now.
If you are a member of an RV club or are affiliated with an RV-related event would you please let us know if its gatherings, meetings, etc., are cancelled or postponed because of the coronavirus? We’ll pass along the info to our readers. We appreciate any news related to RVing that’s relevant to the present crisis. Please submit it here. Thank you!
The click here for trucker plea did not work for me.
Sorry, Nikki. I haven’t heard of anyone else having trouble with that link. But here’s the link to that story — maybe this will work for you: https://www.rvtravel.com/warning-plea-from-a-truck-driver/ Have a good night. –Diane at RVtravel.com
Truckers, we are RV, using back roads as much as possible & not traveling over 250 miles. We’ll respect your need for food etc on the road, bringing our own. Thanks to all truckers..