Hopes that campsites might reopen soon were dashed after a top scientist said they would have to assess the risk of coronavirus transmission first.
Prof Jonathan Van-Tam said people mixing in small enclosed tents posed a risk of spreading the virus during the daily Downing Street press conference.
He said the decision on whether to reopen campsites is 'not as straight forward as it sounds' and it will take some 'serious thought'.
It means people hoping to book camping holiday in the near future may have to wait a while longer until they are given the green light.
During the press conference, he was asked whether going on outdoors holidays would be back on the agenda sooner if staying outdoors posed a lower risk than staying in a hotel.
He said: “The two epidemiological concepts that are important in keeping the infection rate down is staying within household groups and minimising the contact between households.
“It is absolutely a… biological truism that outdoor environments are much less risk than indoor environments.
“But, of course, that will need some careful thinking about because sharing a tent is a small, closed space, with generally poor conditions of ventilation, and I guess it depends who you are sharing it with – same for a caravan.
“So, it is not as straightforward as it might sound … and it will take some careful thought.”
His words were echoed by Secretary of State for Transport Grant Shapps who said people are only allowed to stay in their own homes overnight under the current restrictions.
Staying elsewhere is currently forbidden, he said.
