For many families a camping trip over the Easter long weekend is an annual tradition but this year all South Australians are being urged to stay home and stay safe.
The Department for Environment and Water advises that no camping will be permitted on Crown Land, nor in South Australian parks and reserves for the foreseeable future during the COVID-19 health crisis.
The clarification comes as members of the public have questioned if they have the right to camp on unalienated, or vacant, Crown land over the Easter period and beyond, after the closure of camping areas in National Parks and council-managed camp grounds.
DEW executive director Mike Williams said camping and camping-related activities such as overnight parking of motor vehicles, motor homes and caravans was now prohibited on all unalienated Crown land, to protect community health and wellbeing.
"The state government is actively discouraging all unnecessary travel across SA in an effort to limit the spread of COVID-19 and is asking people to cancel or reschedule any trips or holidays to regional communities this Easter," Mr Williams said.
"Therefore it is not appropriate for people to be camping, or congregating in groups and possibly sharing facilities on unalienated, or vacant Crown Land. Authorised officers will be directing anyone doing this to leave."
Mr Williams said South Australians could still have day-outings to parks and reserves in their immediate neighbourhood, as long as they followed all state and federal government COVID-19 guidelines and declarations enforced in SA.
He said when the time is right, allowing camping on Crown land and in National Parks will recommence, but for the foreseeable future the prohibition will remain.
"But remember, for the health and safety of our community, it's vital that we all follow social distancing guidelines, choose a park or garden near your home, keep a safe distance from others, and practice good hygiene," Mr Williams said.
- Start the day with all the big news in agriculture. Click here to sign up to receive our daily Stock Journal newsletter.