The Australian Government is encouraging all eligible individuals to get vaccinated against the Covid-19 virus.
There is National Cabinet agreement to formulate a National Plan to transition Australia's National COVID Response from pre-vaccination settings, focused on continued suppression of community transmission, to post vaccination settings focused on prevention of serious illness, hospitalisation and fatality, and the public health management of other infectious diseases.
As the number of twice vaccinated individuals increases, meeting Australia’s vaccination targets, restrictions on domestic travel, economic activity, social gatherings and daily activities will be eased, creating a pathway for a return to a level of pre-pandemic freedoms.
Greater freedoms will be rolled-out as vaccination targets are met under the National Plan to Transition Australia’s National COVID Response agreed to by states, territories and the commonwealth government.
While vaccination against the COVID-19 virus is NOT mandatory, individuals who are not vaccinated will face exclusion from new freedoms once vaccination targets are met.
Landowners can limit entry onto their property to vaccinated campers and deny entry to unvaccinated campers. Landowners can ask campers to provide proof of vaccination from campers before entry onto their property.
Landowners should familiarise themselves and comply with current state and territory health orders and restrictions and implement covid-safe plans when hosting campers.
COVID safe health orders and restrictions are subject to change. This advice is continuously being updated and hosts should be prepared to adjust to changes to public health orders and restrictions.
Can I limit bookings to vaccinated Hipcampers only?
Yes. You can choose to only accept vaccinated Hipcampers only onto your property.
If you choose to accept vaccinated Hipcampers only YOU MUST update your property description (we suggest at the top of your written description) to indicate this. Some suggested language is:
“COVID-19 VACCINATION STATUS: We are currently only accepting double vaccinated adults or those who have a medical exemption or underlying reason for not being vaccinated. You’ll be asked to show your vaccination documentation on arrival. Please DO NOT make a booking if you can’t show proof of vaccination on arrival.”
If a Hipcamper has booked but they are not vaccinated you can HOST CANCEL their booking which means they are fully refunded. You as the Host must do this and select COVID-19 as the option in the menu. You can cancel a booking at any time. How to cancel a booking FAQ.
Can I request to see proof of vaccination?
Yes. You can ask to see a camper's vaccination status. This should be done by meeting Hipcampers on arrival to view verified proof of vaccination. A Host cannot ask a camper to send a copy of their immunisation history or covid certificate. This should be viewed on-site.
A Host must state under their property description that a Hipcamper will be required to provide proof of immunisation upon arrival.
There are two documents campers can use to show their vaccination status:
- Immunisation history statement or
- COVID-19 digital certificate
An immunisation history statement is provided by medicare and will display an individual's recent vaccination history. A COVID-19 digital certificate will only show an individual's COVID-19 immunisation history. An individual may also display a COVID-19 digital certificate on mobile devices through Apple Wallet or Google Play.
State governments are working to integrate an individual's vaccination history into QR Codes when checking into a business or premises. Hosts should consider displaying government QR Codes for campers to use when “checking-in” to a campground. (This is only applicable where data access is available).
What if a camper says they aren’t vaccinated because of underlying health concerns?
There are legitimate health reasons that may prevent an individual from getting immunised against the COVID-19 virus. There are medical reasons why a person may not be able to receive a COVID-19 vaccination, or may choose not to in their circumstances, including protected attributes such as pregnancy or disability.
Hosts must consider these legitimate reasons preventing individuals from full immunisations and provide allowances to allow entry onto their premises. Campers in this category of not being vaccinated due to underlying health concerns should be allowed to provide, at your request:
- A recent negative COVID-19 test
- Proof that they have recently been infected with COVID-19 and are ineligible for a vaccination for 6 months.
What about children 12 and under?
Children under 12 are NOT ELIGIBLE to be vaccinated against the COVID-19 virus. In regards to vaccinations - there should be no restrictions on entry to campgrounds for children under 12.
What if the main booker doesn't know if everyone in their group is vaccinated?
This will be a decision for you to make. The main booker will need to find out, or you can choose to cancel their booking.
Do I need a QR code for check-in?
All States and Territories in Australia have contact tracing and registration requirements for patrons entering a business premises, venues or workplaces to track the potential spread of the Covid-19 virus and keep communities safe.
Hipcamp strongly recommends all hosts adhere to state-based COVID Safety requirements and protocols. COVID Safety requirements will differ across all states and territories and we recommend all hosts familiarise themselves and adhere to local COVID-19 safety standards
A copy of state-by-state requirements for businesses to provide “check-in” facilities can be found by clicking here.
What about bookings made before I updated my description to state I am only welcoming fully vaccinated adults / or those with exemptions?
Any changes to booking conditions should be communicated immediately to campers who have already made a booking at your site.
Hosts should take a reasonable position when making immediate decisions that impact future bookings. If a change in booking conditions has not left camper(s) enough time to comply with a host's request for twice vaccinated campers only, reasonable attempts to resolve the situation should be made. They include:
- A grace period for unvaccinated campers with immediate bookings who made a booking before a condition for “vaccinated only” campers was updated.
- If cancelling a booking, offering alternative dates to campers for future bookings.
- Offering a refund on bookings where camper(s) will not be vaccinated at the date of their booking.
A camper is entitled to a refund if their booking is cancelled due to a change in booking conditions made after their original booking. Refer to the section “Can I limit bookings to vaccinated Hipcampers only?” set out earlier in this article for information on booking cancellations.
Hosts must accept unvaccinated campers if they have a legitimate reason for not being vaccinated such as a medical exemption or a disability.
Sources:
Operation Covid Shield; National Covid Vaccine Campaign Plan
Australian Human Rights Commission - COVID-19 vaccinations and federal discrimination law