The British Columbia government is closing all provincial parks to ensure compliance with recommendations to stay at home during the COVID-19 pandemic.
A statement from the Environment and Climate Change Ministry says the closure applies to everyone, from B.C. and out-of-province, who may have been planning a trip to a provincial park.
Minister George Heyman says efforts were made to provide spaces for exercise and fresh air in the parks but it "has proven too challenging" to maintain safe physical distancing of two metres between visitors.
The timing of the decision is aimed at heading off Easter weekend campers, and BC Parks has extended the ban on camping in all its parks until May 31.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published April 8, 2020.