Parks Canada has released a new update on measures being taken in Jasper National Park.
Parks is encouraging all Canadians to stay home and cancel any plans to visit Jasper. All visitor services remain closed in the park and motor vehicle access by visitors is suspended at this time.
For people living in Jasper National Park, here are the latest updates about what these measures mean for you.
Roads
- Highway 16 (Yellowhead Highway) and Highway 93 (Icefields Parkway) remain open. Check www.511.alberta.ca for the most up-to-date road information.
- Maligne Lake Road, beyond Maligne Canyon, is closed to all access, by a restricted activity order, until further notice. This includes vehicles, bicycles, and pedestrians.
Park outhouses
Only a small number of washrooms are being maintained regularly on roadways in the park.
Hand sanitizer has been temporarily removed due to continued theft of this limited commodity, so take your own.
- On Highway 16 east, there is one outhouse open mid-way between Jasper and Hinton at Disaster Point.
- On Highway 16 west, there is one outhouse open between Jasper and the West Gate of the park.
- On Highway 93 North, there is an outhouse open at Valley of the Five trailhead and at Tangle Falls.
Fishing
Parks Canada is asking anyone considering a visit to Jasper National Park for fishing, or any other non-essential activity, to cancel their plans.
- A fishing permit is required to fish in a national park.
- Parks Canada is currently not selling fishing permits.
- Some third-party operators are issuing fishing permits in Jasper.
A person with a valid fishing permit for the mountain national parks may fish in Jasper, as long as the permit holder: abides by all fishing regulations, including the open season and catch limits on various water bodies; follows the advice of Alberta Health Services and the Public Health Agency of Canada on physical distancing and measures to prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19);abides by all road, trail, and area closures.
"These actions are intended to significantly reduce visitation and respect the advice of public health experts to stay home and avoid public gatherings," said Parks spokesman Steve Young in a press release.
"The health and safety of Canadians, visitors, and Parks Canada team members is of the utmost importance to the agency. We must all do our part to limit the spread of COVID-19."
Parks Canada is continuing critical services for the Jasper community including highway maintenance and snow removal, fire response, search and rescue, avalanche control, and law enforcement.
