APRIL 8, 2020
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News Advertiser PAGE 19
Elk Island National Park Closed to Visitors Michelle Pinon News Advertiser Recent visitors to Elk Island National Park (EINP) will have noticed barricades blocking traffic at its north and south entrances. Ed Jager, Director of Visitor Experience for Parks Canada, stated it suspended all vehicle access on March 25. The closure just doesn’t apply to just EINP, but all national parks across the country. The reason is that visitors were not respecting physical distancing that was evidenced in photos and videos that were taken before the decision. The restriction on vehicles includes visitor services and facilities, parking lots and trailheads at all national parks, national historic sites and national marine conservation areas and green spaces. Jager stated, “The health and safety of visitors and Parks Canada team members is of the utmost importance to the Agency. Elk Island National Park is doing its part to contain COVID-19 and reduce the risks to team members and visitors. Currently, there are 34 people working for Elk Island National Park. Some employees are on-site to provide critical functions such as snow removal, fire response, law enforcement, water and waste treatment; while others work from home.
Parks Canada’s measures reflect the government-wide approach of limiting non-essential travel, promoting physical distancing, and having employees in non-critical positions work from home. We look forward to resuming normal operations, but for now, we must all work together to limit the spread of COVID-19.” Jager said there have been a lot questions regarding reservations. He said reservations before April 30 have been canceled. He does not recommend reservations after that date to be canceled as a decision regarding that has not been made. In March, there were just under 20 Elk Island National Park was closed to visitors on March 25 when this photo was taken of the queries regarding Elk Island National north entrance on Highway 831 which is 10 kilometres south of Lamont. (Michelle Pinon/Photo) Park made to the national information service. These queries were about topics such as camping permits and entry pass reimbursement, when will it be possible to visit the park, etc. There have also been questions regarding refunds of annual park passes. He said the validity for the park passes will be extended for the length of suspension of services. Jager said any visitor attempting to access a Parks Canada location with their vehicle will be reminded of this closure. We are asking all Canadians to respect the suspensions and closures. No warnings or fines related to the closures at Elk Island National Park have been issued to date. Jager said the most important point is to stay home and obey the measures experts have put in place. There are more than 970 national historic sites; of these 171 are administered by Parks Canada.
BLOOD DONOR CLINIC - CONTINUED from FRONT PAGE those blood donor cards in the mail in a month and next time I go I’ll know exactly what I’m doing. It was a very good experience and nice to have Marion Baxandall there. I remember when they used to do this at the Elks hall and she was there then. That was 32 years ago when she was volunteering her time. She came over right away and asked how I was doing. You don’t need to worry it’s very painless and it’s over in a hurry. And she was right.” Nicole Russell, Territory Manager for Canadian Blood Services, wanted to express how appreciative the organization is to the Town of Vegreville for allowing us to use the Social Centre for our donor centre during this time,” said Nicole Russell, Territory Manager for Canadian Blood Services. Because of COVID-19, Russel explained, “We had to reduce the number of beds and appointments to enable us to practice physical distancing in the donor centre, so although this number seems lower than what people might be used to in Vegreville, we had a lower target.” Canadian Blood Services will also be increasing the number of times they will be in Vegreville. “We will be doubling our number of donor centres in the Town of Vegreville, with our next two currently planned for on Monday, June 15, and Tuesday, June 30.” Anyone can book an appointment to donate blood at the Edmonton location,
or any location across Canada, added Russell. “We urge donors to book appointments over the next few weeks to help maintain an adequate level of blood and blood products for patients in Canada. Since blood products have a limited shelf life, demand is constant. We will keep reminding people about this as we work through the evolving COVID-19 situation.”
