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(UPDATE: April 15 @ 11:30 am): National parks across Canada will remain closed until at least May 31 in an attempt to help stop the spread of COVID-19.
That means camping, group activities, events and more will be banned, Parks Canada said.
It had previously announced a temporary closure on March 24.
"Parks Canada is calling on Canadians to stay home," the service explained.
Vehicle access is also suspended, but people can drive through parks on their way to another destination.
Services affected include:
- All visitor services, including reception, information, lockage and mooring
- All visitor facilities, including parking lots, washrooms, day use areas and visitor centres
- All camping facilities including backcountry camping, oTENTiks and other roofed accommodations
- All events, group and interpretive activities
- Parks Canada will not be taking new reservations until at least June 1, 2020. All existing reservations set to take place prior to May 31, 2020, will be automatically cancelled and refunded in full
Parks Canada said it will continue to deliver critical services, including highway maintenance, fire response, dam operations and water management on historic waterways and avalanche control.
Provincial parks in BC, meanwhile, have been closed until further notice.
(Original story: March 24 @ 9:45 am): Motor vehicle access to all national parks, historic sites and marine conservation areas will be temporarily suspended across Canada from midnight.
Parks Canada said the decision was made as part of efforts to suppress the COVID-19 virus.
The vehicle ban will remain in place until further notice, the agency said.
It explained: “This means that all parking lots, vehicle services, trails, washrooms, day use facilities, showers, visitor centres, and all camping facilities, including oTENTiks, yurts and backcountry camping, are closed until further notice.
“Highways and roadways which pass through Parks Canada places will remain open.”
Parks Canada will also be limiting its activities to “basic critical operations,” it said.
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