BC is closing Joffre Lakes Provincial Park as well as several other parks in the province.
Stawamus Chief Provincial Park and Protected Area, the Murrin Provincial Park, and Shannon Falls Provincial Park have been closed as well.
These closures are in addition to a previous suspension of services and facilities in provincial parks, including visitor centres, nature houses, washrooms and day-use areas.
All campgrounds are also closed until April 30, 2020.
On March 22, the Village of Pemberton has asked visitors to not come to the village, noting that Joffre Lake Provincial Park had a lot of visitors.
“Many of our community members have expressed urgent concern over the influx of recreationalists coming to Pemberton this weekend. Many of those people coming into town, visiting our stores and walking around our town are not practicing social distancing,” says Mayor Mike Richman.
“This activity puts our community at great risk, and could pose challenges in maintaining a healthy supply chain locally.”
BC government said it has heard concerns from the public and other agencies about the increase in visitors and is implementing full closures of certain parks throughout the province.
“The mental and physical wellness benefit of being outside during the COVID-19 pandemic response is important, but keeping people safe right now is the most important thing we can be doing,” said George Heyman, Minister of Environment and Climate Change Strategy.
“Until we flatten the transmission curve of COVID-19 and people strictly comply with the PHO physical distancing requirement, provincial park access will be restricted.”