P22 Niskonlith Lake 32 C

BC PARKS RESPONSE TO COVID-19

PROVINCIAL TRAVEL RESTRICTIONS The health and safety of our park visitors and staff has always been our number one priority throughout this difficult past year. We understand and appreciate how important safe outdoor activity is, and we are committed to continuing to provide safe places and means for BC’s residents to enjoy the benefits of nature, to the fullest extent possible.

In keeping with this commitment, we are providing an update on the implications to BC Parks campers of a new order issued on April 23, 2021, and in effect until at least May 25, by BC’s Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General, pursuant to the Emergency Program Act. The aim of this order is to mitigate the further spread of COVID-19 by reducing the movement of people into and within the province. In particular, the order prohibits people from leaving their Health Authority Regions (some are combined for the purposes of this order) for nonessential reasons - including for holiday.

OPENING DATES AND POLICIES FOR THE 2021 CAMPING SEASON Our park operators and staff have been preparing for visitors and are looking forward to welcoming visitors to our campgrounds for the 2021 camping season. However, it is still not quite business as usual. The COVID-19 pandemic continues to require BC Parks to adapt its policy and operational decisions.

Reservations for the full 2021 season for both the Berg Lake Trail and Bowron Lake Canoe Circuit will open on March 1, 2021, at 7 am PT. On March 8, 2021, at 7 am PT, camping reservations will become available for frontcountry and backcountry on a twomonth rolling window. This includes booking single or double sites at frontcountry campgrounds, as well backcountry camping reservations at Garibaldi and Mount Assiniboine. With a March 8, 2021 release of campground reservations, campers will be able to initially reserve arrival dates up to May 8, 2021; on March 9 arrival dates up to May 9, etc. Operating and Reservable Dates for campgrounds can be found at bcparks.ca/operating-dates/ and on individual park webpages.

Due to the ongoing pandemic, British Columbians will be provided with priority access to camping reservations. Starting July 8, 2021, non-residents of BC will be permitted to make reservations for any remaining arrival dates in the season for other parks, pending travel restrictions. For the purpose of accessing priority reservations, a BC resident is someone who resides in BC. Visitors will need to confirm they are a BC resident before booking a campsite.

Other key policies related to the 2021 camping season (such as campsite capacity limits, groupsite/family camping opportunities, PHO guidelines that relate to camping, etc.), can be found at bcparks.ca/covid-19/camping-2021 and we encourage all campers to review these policies prior to planning and booking their 2021 trips. A summary of key policy decisions are as follows: • Capacity limits for single or standard campsites remain unchanged for the 2021 season. A single camping party is still permitted – standard allowance of 8 individuals (of which, can be up to 4 adults aged 16 or older), including daytime visitors. • Double sites will return to standard capacity of 16 individuals (of which, can be up to 8 adults aged 16 or older), including daytime visitors. As was the case last season, double sites are required to be booked in full by one reservation holder for the 2021 season (i.e., they will not be bookable as single sites for two separate parties). • Group sites continue to provide family camping opportunities for those who may want a larger campsite for their larger families. The occupancy total remains at 16 individuals, including daytime visitors.

PHO guidelines for gatherings may change between the time of booking and a scheduled arrival date. Camping parties MUST meet current PHO guidelines for gatherings, even if those group numbers are less than the maximum site allowance.

Customers are responsible for reading and understanding BC Parks Reservation Policies before making a reservation. Discover Camping reservation policies will be strictly enforced for the 2021 camping season. Reservation, modification and cancellation policies can be found at bcparks.ca/reserve

We appreciate your ongoing cooperation as we work to keep our staff, park operators, and visitors safe. Together we can stay safe and keep our parks open.

Know before you go, check website for updates on Covid-19 restrictions WWW.BCPARKS.CA/COVID-19/