A canoe on the water. (File photo by Melanie Irwin, Blackburn News)

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The Ontario government has taken even further action to ensure public safety during the COVID-19 crisis by closing all provincial parks to the public.

Minister of Health Christine Elliott and Minister of the Environment, Conservation and Parks Jeff Yurek announced the closures Thursday evening. Anyone currently in a provincial park on Wednesday will be required to vacate by Thursday.

“As COVID-19 continues to quickly evolve, we want to ensure public safety and the well-being of

our visitors and staff in Ontario’s provincial parks,” the two ministers said in a joint statement.

Ontario’s parks will remain closed to the public from March 19 until April 30.

“This includes car camping, backcountry camping, roofed accommodations, day-use opportunities and all public buildings,” Elliott and Yurek said.

The good news for anyone with a reservation during the time up to April 30 will automatically be provided with a full refund with no penalty.

As of Wednesday evening, there are 212 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Ontario, with another 3,378 cases under investigation.