Responsible Trail Operations and Visitation during the COVID-19 Pandemic
The COVID-19 pandemic continues to evolve rapidly as do the orders, directives, and guidelines of Canada’s federal and provincial or territorial governments. These guidelines reflect the currently available scientific evidence and expert opinion as provided by public health officials in Canada and is subject to change as new information on transmissibility, epidemiology, and effectiveness of public health and risk mitigation measures becomes available. It is the responsibility of all trail operators to ensure they are in alignment and compliant with the most recent public health and local direction in their respective jurisdictions. The intent of Trans Canada Trail is to continue to update and revise these guidelines as new direction and information from public health officials becomes available.
Trans Canada Trail is here to support Canada’s trail operators. For additional support and resources, please contact Trans Canada Trail at project@tctrail.ca. This document will evolve in time.
Download the full guide here, or scroll down and click on the links to bring you directly to that topic.
Tool kit: Key messages, letters, posters, signage and social media cards available
Introduction
- What is the purpose of these guidelines?
- How were the guidelines developed?
- Transmission of COVID-19 in the trail environment
- Focus and considerations for trail operators
- Risk management, liability and COVID-19
Visitor management guidelines
- Determining factors for the spread of COVID-19 in the trail environment
- Visitor management plans and the visitor management toolbox
- Emergency response planning
- Land manager or land owner communications
- Process for opening closed Trails
Trail amenity and infrastructure maintenance guidelines
- To close or keep amenities open?
- Closing amenities and infrastructure
- General cleaning and disinfecting guidelines
- High-touch amenities and infrastructure that cannot be cleaned and disinfected frequently
- Cleaning and disinfecting considerations for specific amenities and infrastructure
Trail crew guidelines
- Risk assessment, safe work practices and volunteer agreements
- Prioritize trail operations and maintenance
- Communicate and train staff and volunteers
- Implement prevention measures
Tool kit for trail operators
- COVID-19 essentials for trail operators
- Key messages to users about how to stay safe on the Trail
- Messages to visitors about what the trail operator is doing to keep visitors safe
- Example COVID-19 recommendations for trail work poster
- COVID-19 trail volunteer information letter
- The Great Trail COVID-19 signage
- Guidelines for cleaning, disinfecting and fueling crew vehicles
Tool kit: Key messages, letters, posters, signage and social media cards available
Letters and posters
Images are for reference only. The following is provided as a sample communication for you to tailor to your trail and the steps you are taking to manage COVID-19. You can post this on your website, social media channels and/or directly email to your contacts. Please contact project@tctrail.ca to obtain editable versions.
Signage
Images are for reference only. Please contact project@tctrail.ca to obtain print ready artwork for the signs below or for additional support with signage development.
Social media cards
The following infographics can be distributed through the social media channels, websites and installed at trail heads. (click on image to open; right click on image; select “save image as”)
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- 1200 x 1800
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- 1200 x 1800
