Parks Canada has suspended visitor services in all national parks, national historic sites and national marine conservation areas across the country until further notice.
On Vancouver Island, the suspension affects Fort Rodd Hill and Fisgard Lighthouse National Historic Sites as well as both the Gulf Islands and Pacific Rim National Park Reserves.
“At this critical time, our top priority remains the health and safety of Canadians. We are doing everything we can to contain the novel coronavirus and reduce the burden on our health-care system,” said Jonathan Wilkinson, minister responsible for Parks Canada.
“We all look forward to resuming normal operations at Parks Canada places, but for now we must follow the advice of public-health experts and work together to limit the spread of COVID-19.”
All visitor facilities will be closed, including washrooms and day-use facilities. Only basic critical functions, such as highway management and fire response, will remain.
People are still welcome to visit accessible green space and backcountry areas, but need to be aware that they are responsible for their own safety, as search-and-rescue services may be limited.
Parks Canada will cease taking new reservations until April 30. All existing reservations for this period will be refunded in full.
For a complete list of Parks Canada places that are closed — and the parameters of the closures — go to pc.gc.ca.
