Revelstoke seeks to discourage Easter visits, encourages residents to keep up COVID-19 precautions
All levels of government call for halt to non-essential travel on Easter weekend, but the call of the mountains is proving too strong for some, leading to questions about how government will handle the issue of non-essential travel, including the thorny question of provincial border restrictions.
For many, Easter weekend means one last snow vacation in the mountains, a chance to shred spring snow and soak up some rays. Normally, Revelstoke welcomes the final spring trade, but not this year — of course.
It’s the COVID-19 era, and everything but essential services is closed. On Thursday BC Parks announced the closure of all their provincial facilities (see this link for local parks information). Parks Canada has shuttered Mount Revelstoke and Glacier national parks. Revelstoke Mountain Resort has been closed since mid-March. Except for many doing takeout and delivery, there is only a trickle of restaurant service.
But despite the shutdown, there remains some visitor traffic in Revelstoke. Nordic skiing at the Mount Macpherson trails got shut down permanently last weekend due to overcrowding (of which a lot was local traffic).
There has been sled activity at the trailheads, and an RCMP vehicle was photographed near the Boulder Mountain parking lots on Thursday, turning people away.
A local homeless man sits in Grizzly Plaza on April 4. The man, who declined to give his name, said he had been sleeping rough in Revelstoke for quite some time, and was aware of the COVD-19 situation, pointing to a week-old Vancouver Sun in his cart. He felt the government should have closed down the borders earlier, saying, “Everybody stay in their own country.” Photo: Aaron Orlando/Revelstoke Mountaineer Magazine
Although visitor traffic, particularly from Alberta, has been a topic of discussion in Revelstoke, it’s been more prevalent in the East Kootenay, which is much closer to Calgary and swells with visitors from Alberta, including many who own second homes and cabins in the area.
(There is also a significant Alberta presence in Revelstoke, including long-term residents, seasonal residents, visitors and those who commute across the border for shift work.)
Last week, the Regional District of East Kootenay (RDEK), the regional government organization in the area, unanimously passed a resolution requesting the B.C. government shut down the B.C.-Alberta border to non-essential traffic.
The concern among residents is multi-fold, but at its core is that an excess of visitors could overwhelm the often small medical centres in the region, and that the influx of people could introduce more COVID-19 cases.
This is the basic message all authorities are trying spread about Revelstoke in general, not just this closed playground in Kovach Park. Photo: Aaron Orlando/Revelstoke Mountaineer Magazine
The small communities in the region swell with seasonal residents from Alberta during summer and winter high seasons. In addition, there is general concern that non-seasonal residents tired of being cooped up in Calgary (or Vancouver) will seek the mountains as an escape from being cooped up in the city.
In Revelstoke, there is concern in Revelstoke about the visitor traffic during the lockdown will spread COVID-19 and overwhelm local recreation spots, leading to more closures.
Tourism organization discourages visitors
Tourism Revelstoke is officially discouraging visitors; their COVID-19 info page lists services available.
B.C. and Alberta health ministers urge residents to stay home
On Friday, the B.C. and Alberta health ministers, Adrian Dix and Tyler Shandro, issued a joint statement. After a feel-good preamble celebrating the two provinces’ historic ties and family connections, they got to the point: “Spending a holiday away from people we care about is difficult – but what we are doing matters. Together, we are helping slow the spread of COVID-19. Let us be clear: Staying home means no travelling – especially across our borders. Instead, we encourage everyone to find ways to connect virtually this long weekend, including by video chat or with phone calls.”
City of Revelstoke asks people to follow the rules
Even petting the horses is off limits. Signs at the Selkirk Saddle Club discourage visitors from petting or feeding the horses during COVID-19. Transmission to animals, including cats and tigers at a zoo, is a concern and still something that’s under study. Photo: Aaron Orlando/Revelstoke Mountaineer Magazine
In an April 9 statement, the City of Revelstoke asked residents to follow COVID-19 restrictions, including avoiding Easter family gatherings.
The statement also said the city supported federal and provincial messages asking people to avoid non-essential travel and “remain at their primary residence.”
“While I understand the desire for an active lifestyle,” said Revelstoke Mayor Gary Sulz in the statement, “We need to ensure that trail users maintain the recommended two metres apart from each other and that our trails are used for exercise and not to socialize.”
The city also urged residents not to socialize on the Greenbelt, which is open for exercise.
A family group toboggans at the base of Revelstoke Mountain Resort on April 4. Photo: Aaron Orlando/Revelstoke Mountaineer Magazine
In response to questions about whether the city had been involved in lobby efforts to further restrict non-essential travel, Mayor Gary Sulz said the city’s call for a halt of non-essential travel aligned with provincial and federal leadership initiatives.
“We have no jurisdiction over border crossings or travel along our highways. As you know, I have been asking people to stay home as much as possible and follow the Provincial Health Officer’s orders. I believe EVERYONE is hearing this through every media outlet.”
A social distancing visit with neighbours in Revelstoke on April 4. Photo: Aaron Orlando/Revelstoke Mountaineer Magazine
Sulz said the Columbia Shuswap Regional District — the RDEK counterpart in the Revelstoke area — had the same messaging, that “non-essential travel should be avoided and staying home is the key to protecting vulnerable people and to ensure medical and other necessary services in smaller communities do not become overwhelmed.”
During normal times, Revelstoke police are stretched thin dealing with usual workloads; enforcing travel and social distancing further stresses resource levels.
Williamson’s Lake is still covered in ice and snow, but the upcoming summer tourism season will be something to deal with in the context of COVID-19. Photo: Aaron Orlando/Revelstoke Mountaineer Magazine
According to a Twitter message from one city councillor, the city does not currently have bylaw officers working past 5 p.m. or on weekends, although it’s debatable how much of an impact a couple extra enforcement officers would have versus an influx of visitors.
Check back next weekend
A closed playground near the Mountain View School building on the evening of April 3. Photo: Aaron Orlando/Revelstoke Mountaineer Magazine
Like almost everything COVID-19 related, things are changing fast. The Easter long weekend will be an indicator of what’s to come this spring and summer, and government authorities at all levels are likely to react and adjust.
Predicting what the new COVID-19 rules will be a week from now — let alone how they will be enforced — is a fool’s errand, so check back in a week for the official reaction.
Update: Around town on Good Friday
I took a look around town in the late morning and early afternoon of Friday, April 10. Here are some photos and observations.
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