In a drastic but perhaps predictable move, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau suspended all visitor services at Canada’s national parks.
“What that means for our parks is that pretty much anything with a door will be closed,” Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said at a press conference Tuesday.
Following news earlier this week that Canada would close its borders in an effort to curb the spread of COVID-19, Trudeau expanded the country’s efforts to minimize group interactions and travel. The measure, which goes into effect Wednesday, will suspend all visitor services within Canada’s national parks and historic sites.
“I know people would probably prefer to just carry on as normal — I would too,” he said. “But we all must take all action through social distancing to protect our health and the health of others.”
It remains unclear whether this announcement impacts trails, vistas, and roads in national parks. We will update this story as more information becomes available.
So far, Canada reports 424 confirmed cases of coronavirus.
In the U.S., meanwhile, national parks across the country mostly remain open, albeit with some controversy.
