Parks

Parks Canada is restricting access in national parks and historic sites after people flocked to the popular areas in recent days. The federal agency said it’s still noticing lots of visitors despite the suspension of services and facility closures last week. Officials are suspending motor vehicle access until further notice. Environment Minister Jonathan Wilkinson, who is responsible for Parks Canada, said visitation rates soared on the weekend. Banff and Canmore saw visitors crowding their main streets. It led to concerns from residents about increasing the risk of COVID-19 in places with limited health-care facilities. Wilkinson said crowding on the trails and at day-use areas in the national parks and historic sites is also unsafe. Wilkinson said the restriction on vehicles includes parking lots and trailheads at all national parks, national historic sites and national marine conservation areas. Ontario closed its provincial parks last Thursday until April 30. B.C. also added restrictions Tuesday after a surge in weekend traffic.