Parks Canada to close national parks, historic sites to vehicle traffic

“The window to contain the spread of COVID-19 is short and we must all change our behaviours now to flatten the curve and reduce the burden on our health-care system.”

Wilkinson said that includes not visiting national parks, national historic sites and national marine conservation areas.

Parks Canada said highways and roadways that go through the parks and historic sites will remain open for residents, but they are urged to stay home unless it’s essential travel.

Commercial and truck traffic will also be allow on those corridors, including the Trans-Canada Highway through Banff National Park.

Officials said parking won’t be permitted on highways and roadways.

“We are asking all Canadians to respect these restrictions,” Parks Canada said in the news release.

Parks Canada staff will continue to perform highway maintenance, snow removal, fire response, dam operations and water management on historic waterways, as well as avalanche forecasting and control in the mountain parks.

Indigenous traditional activities in Parks Canada locations will continue, but users are being asked to follow the advice of public-health experts on social distancing.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published on March 24, 2020

by Canadian Press

Parks Canada to close national parks, historic sites to vehicle traffic

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