People aged 12 and over must be fully vaccinated to stay at DOC huts or campsites this summer. 

DOC heritage and visitors director Steve Taylor said surveys and feedback showed “a strong public desire for confidence that others sharing DOC accommodation are also vaccinated”.

When booking, visitors will be required to confirm they and all others in their group were fully vaccinated. Hut wardens and camp hosts will also be checking peoples vaccination status.

“For more remote huts and smaller campsites that are not bookable, there will be spot checks,” Taylor said. “Visitors will need to make a judgement on whether they are comfortable with that.”

Taylor said higher-risk sites, such as popular unbookable huts and campsites, may be closed under the red and orange alert levels “where issues arise” and facilities could be closed if visitors refuse to comply.

DOC will provide a full refund to those who are unwell, subject to travel restrictions, concerned about Covid risks or who are not fully vaccinated.

“We will be contacting people ahead of their bookings advising them they need to be fully vaccinated otherwise their booking will need to be cancelled.”

Taylor said DOC was also consulting on a mandate for all staff, contractors and volunteers.