Britain’s National Trust is keeping all its unstaffed parks and gardens open so that people can get outdoor exercise and fresh air during ‘social distancing,’ while Canada has announced closure of all its national parks to ‘encourage social distancing.’
The National Trust director-general told press that “While we will close our indoor areas to help fight the spread of coronavirus, we recognise that people are likely to need access to open space.” The Canadian decision, made by the Ministry of Health and MInistry of Canadian Heritage, is for a complete closure: “Parks Canada will no longer be open. Parks Canada will no longer admit visitors.”
U.S. National Parks are so far mostly open, with specific closures of spaces that tend to bring large numbers together in small spaces, such as Ellis Island and the Washington Monument.
Photo: National Trust, Visitors walking at Tarn Hows, Cumbria
My daughter is taking me and my ‘grand-dog’ on walks in Prospect Park; the length of Luna’s leash defines our social distance.
Latest News we have in the UK is to stay away from crowds and enclosed spaces. Sports fixtures – Trains – Buses – Theatre – Cinema – Clubs and Pubs are all on the NO list. And maintain a 2 metre ( 6ft ) gap between others and yourself. Parks and the beach are fine.
Maintaining a “Social Distance”. Memories of School Dances and Family PIcnics !
It’s too cold in Canada right now for people to be in most National Parks very long, except for a few hearty polar-bear types. There would be a tendency for people to drift towards restaurants and pubs to stay warm (i.e. social crowding). So this makes sense given the season. In the summer, I would think the policy might change as the weather warms and the back-country opens up.