Avoid Banff, Canmore this long weekend, pleads Parks Canada

CALGARY – If you’re hoping to spend the long weekend in the mountains, you may want to reconsider your plans.

People are being told to skip the Rockies and instead look for something to do closer to home as the pandemic continues.

The mayors of Banff and Canmore are asking people to avoid visiting their towns, and the country’s parks agency says you should follow the provincial health guidelines and stay close to home.

READ MORE: ‘It’s a very difficult message to send out’: Banff mayor requests people to stay away as weather warms up

Daniella Rubeling, Parks Canada visitor experience manager for Banff National Park, says they know how important green spaces and nature have been to those weathering the pandemic but with an influx of people expected, they’d prefer you skip the trip out this time around.

“We’re still not through the pandemic. And we really want to make are folks are following Alberta Health Services guidelines,” she said.

“We recognize that people do want to get out and we will have visitors that come this weekend. And we want to make sure that when they visit, they plan ahead and they’re responsible when they are here.”

RELATED: Minister asks Canadians to camp carefully in national parks as season starts

Some alternatives being suggested in Calgary instead include visiting the zoo, Heritage Park, or go to the Grey Eagle Drive-in.

You can reserve a fire pit throughout various parks in Calgary or maybe just order some take-out and stay at home.

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