While most provincial parks in British Columbia will open to day-use only today, you’ll have to wait a couple more weeks for national parks to re-open.

That’s according to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, who says the partial reopening at national parks at the beginning of June will be so people can access trails and other green spaces where physical distancing can still be practiced.

Over 200 national parks, historic sites, and national marine conservation areas in Canada were closed in March to try and limit the spread of COVID-19. Back in mid-April, Parks Canada said no camping or group activities would be permitted at national parks until at least June 1.

Camping will remain off limits at least until June 21, which is when the federal government will reassess the situation.

“This isn’t forever. Canadians have been doing the right things these past many weeks,” Trudeau said. “And we have to be prepared to keep making adjustments as needed.”

Trudeau noted that while getting fresh air is important, people have to be responsible about it.

Meanwhile, here in British Columbia, most provincial parks will reopen as part of the second phase of reopening as the number of new cases of COVID-19 have slowed down. While camping was suspended in provincial parks in March, the parks itself were closed just ahead of the Easter long weekend.

According to BC Parks, the sites will open for day-use only, including front- and back-country trails, beaches, picnic areas, washroom facilities and boat launches. It still says that some playgrounds, hot springs, and picnic shelters will remain closed for the time being.

Overnight camping and those other day-use facilities may return in June, as part of B.C.’s third phase of reopening the economy.

And going into the May long weekend, British Columbians are being urged to avoid non-essential travel, and instead explore parks close to home. Visitors are also asked to keep up physical distancing measures outside of their own bubbles.