Ontario Parks Keeps Flip-Flopping Its Camping Ban Deadline & So Many People Are Confused
People are fed up with the "absolute lack of communication."
If you booked a stay at Ontario Parks' overnight accommodations, you may want to check in on the status of your reservation. The Ministry of Environment, Conservation and Parks has announced yet another change to their temporary ban on overnight visits, which now includes bookings up to and including June 10.
However, just two days ago, Ontario Parks said that their temporary closure would only affect reservations up to and including June 7 — needless to say, the mixed messages have many people confused.
"I have now cancelled my dream trip to Killarney not because of [COVID-19] but because of the absolute lack of communication between Ontario Parks and Ontario Government and the people of Ontario," tweeted one individual.
"This is so completely confusing to me. I am supposed to be going camping on the 11th, just want to know if it is [cancelled] for sure or not," another person wrote.
"My husband has a solo backcountry trip booked June 8 - 10. I understand provincial guidelines need to be followed but the messaging is unclear," reads a third tweet.
The Ontario Parks website currently states that "when the province reaches Step One of the Roadmap to Reopen, overnight accommodations at Ontario Parks will resume," which is likely contributing to the confusion, seeing as step one is not poised to begin until June 14.
Ontario Parks says overnight reservations can be "automatically cancelled"
In a statement to Narcity, the Ministry said, "While we cannot predict the future impact of COVID-19 on Ontario Parks at this time, we are accepting future reservations beyond the current temporary closure date."
"It's important to note that reservations could be automatically cancelled at any time in response to future provincial or regional orders or restrictions. Ontario Parks will inform patrons of any changes to the status of their reservations in advance of arrival dates."
"Ontario Parks will inform patrons of any changes to the status of their reservations in advance of arrival dates."