The Opening of N.W.T’s Park Has Been Postponed

The novel coronavirus (COVID-19) is still spreading in the countries and territories across the world rapidly as people get in contact with an infected person. To curb the spread of this COVID-19 pandemic, the governments of countries are focusing and urging to its citizens to stay home, to maintain social distance and not to step out of the house for unnecessary work. Even, the second largest country by its area in the world, Canada is in the grip of this COVID-19 pandemic. As of April 11, Canada has reported its 22,148 confirmed cases and 570 persons have died by the virus. The number of 6,013 persons has been recovered from this disease as well.

The Northwest Territories (N.W.T.) department of industry, tourism and investment in Canada is deciding to postpone the opening date of the territory’s parks. On Friday afternoon, the territorial government said the decision to postpone “supports territory-wide efforts to contain the spread of the COVID-19 virus in the Northwest Territories.”

Ms. Katrina Nokleby, Minister of Industry, Tourism and Investment, said “We know that families are eager to get outside and enjoy N.W.T. Parks. I can assure you this decision was not made lightly but ultimately the health and safety of our guests, staff and contractors is our top priority.”

There many parks in Northwest Territories in its region as below :

1. In Beaufort Delta – Gwich’in Territorial Park – Vadzaih Van Tshik Campground, Gwich’in Territorial Park – Gwich’in Territorial Campground, Happy Valley Territorial Park, Jàk Territorial Park and Nataiinlaii Territorial Park.
2. In Dehcho – Blackstone Territorial Park, Fort Simpson Territorial Park and Sambaa Deh Territorial Park.
3. In North Slave – Fred Henne Territorial Park, Prelude Lake Territorial Park and Reid Lake Territorial Park.
4. In Sahtu – MacKinnon Territorial Park
5. In South Slave – 60th Parallel Territorial Park, Fort Providence Territorial Park, Hay River Territorial Park, Lady Evelyn Falls Territorial Park, Little Buffalo River Crossing Territorial Park, Little Buffalo River Falls Territorial Park, Queen Elizabeth Territorial Park, Twin Falls Gorge Territorial Park – Escarpment Creek and Twin Falls Gorge Territorial Park – Louise Falls Campground.

The territorial government also said that their online reservation system or portal will remain closed until further notice and renting facilities will not be available until the parks open. Canada closed its national parks in last month until the further notice amid the growing COVID-19 pandemic. The closures also apply to national historic sites and national marine conservation areas.

An opening date for the 2020 park season has not been set yet but most territorial parks usually open in mid of May every year. However, the residents of the territory are still allowed to use walking trails within the territory’s parks but must have to maintain social distancing.