March 15, 2020
Toronto — Today, Christine Elliott, Deputy Premier and Minister of Health and Jeff Yurek, Minister of the Environment, Conservation and Parks issued the following statement related to Ontario Parks operations in response to COVID-19:
“Public safety and the well-being of our visitors and staff in Ontario’s provincial parks is our top priority. In response to Ontario’s Chief Medical Officer of Health’s recommendation to immediately suspend large events and public gatherings of over 250 people, Ontario Parks has cancelled all planned events until further notice. All public Ontario Parks buildings, such as visitor centres, will be closed as well.
Outdoor recreational opportunities including camping and day use will still be available at operating parks.
Appropriate cleaning measures continue to be undertaken to reduce risk to staff and visitors within buildings. Ontario Parks will also enhance cleaning of public areas that remain open, including washrooms.
Individuals or groups wishing to cancel their current reservations for arrivals up to April 30, 2020 will be provided a full refund or the opportunity to change their reservation depending on availability, with no penalty.
Ontario Parks will monitor developments and reassess on April 1, 2020 and April 15, 2020.”
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
Visit the Ontario Parks website for a list of operating parks and updates.
For more information on reservation cancellations or changes where available, please contact the Ontario Parks Reservations Call Centre at 1-888-668-7275 from 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. Eastern Time. To receive a penalty-free refund, please do not cancel or change reservations online.
Visit Ontario’s website to learn more about how the province continues to protect Ontarians from COVID-19.
CONTACTS
Hayley Chazan Minister’s Office, Press Secretary, Ministry of Health 416-726-9941
David Jensen Communications Branch, Ministry of Health 416-314-6197
Andrew Buttigieg Minister’s Office, Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks 437-224-4599 Andrew.Buttigieg@ontario.ca
Gary Wheeler Communications Branch, Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks 416-314-6666
Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks http://www.ontario.ca/mecp