BANFF – Checkstops set up to prevent day-trippers entering Banff during the COVID-19 pandemic have been suspended and the tourist town gears up to officially welcome visitors back in June.
Town of Banff officials say checkpoints at both entrances to town can be reconsidered if visitation is too high to accommodate social distancing measures, but there was no need for that over the Victoria Day long weekend.
“There was a slight increase in per day vehicle traffic compared to previous weekends, but still very low,” said Jason Darrah, the Town of Banff’s communications director.
“We are very pleased that visitors from the Calgary region responded to our request to wait a little longer before visiting Banff.”
A reduction in one-lane each way on the 100 and 200 blocks of Banff Avenue to help with physical distancing measures was installed at noon on Friday (May 15), and taken down Tuesday morning (June 19).
“Due to the low traffic volumes, and low number of pedestrians on Banff Avenue, it probably was not needed to allow space for pedestrians,” said Darrah.
“However, it was beneficial for planning purposes, in preparation for welcoming more visitors next month.”
Over the May long weekend, total combined vehicles volumes at both entrances to town were 24,399 for all four days – Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Monday. This counts vehicles entering and exiting the Banff townsite.
Darrah said this means that approximately 12,200 vehicles came into town over the four days, which represents a 70 per cent decrease from 2019, a 74 per cent decrease from 2018 and a 77 per cent decrease from 2017.
“The busiest day was Saturday, with 6,151 vehicles counted at both entrances going both directions, so about 3,075 vehicles coming into town,” he said.
“Last year, the busiest day was Sunday, with 25,182 vehicles. In 2018, the Sunday of the May long weekend had 28,400 vehicles and 2017 Sunday had 31,614 vehicles.”
The total vehicle volumes across the Bow River bridge this past weekend were 19,034 for the four days. This is a 67 per cent decrease from 2019, a 69 per cent decrease from 2018 and 71 per cent decrease from 2017.
As for pedestrian volumes on the west side of the 200 block of Banff Avenue, counts indicated there were 9,033, an 88 per per cent decrease from 2019, an 89 per cent decrease from 2018 and a 91 per cent decrease from 2017.
If needed, there is always an option to bring back checkstops as the town of Banff slowly ramps up services and as businesses put in place the health and safety measured required for reopening.
“We will continue to monitor traffic volumes in upcoming nice days, especially weekends, and work with the tourism sector to manage visitation if required,” said Darrah.
Silvio Adamo, the Town of Banff’s director of emergency management, said the community deserves thanks for the efforts and sacrifices made to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
He said the response has kept the community’s most vulnerable people safe and lessened the burden on the healthcare system. As of May 19, Banff National Park had four confirmed cases, with all but one of those patients recovered.
“In the coming weeks, we will start to see visitors returning to the town we essentially had for ourselves for the past two months. This may cause anxiety for some, and if it does, please reach out for help,” said Adamo.
“Please remember that we are a service centre that is used to welcoming millions of visitors every year. As Canadians, it is in our nature to be kind and thoughtful.”
Councillor Chip Olver was concerned suspension of checkstops could cause anxiety among some residents and wants to make sure the Town is doing everything to keep residents informed of any changes.
“I think any volume of visitors will be very different from what we’ve had over the last few weeks, “ she said, noting she didn’t want residents taken by surprise.
The May long weekend was the second weekend in which checkstops weren’t set up at both entrances to town, which Adamo said was a deliberate move to help residents get used to having tourists in the community again.
“We did not have checkstops anticipating that we would see some regional traffic come into town,” he said, noting the Town is trying to alleviate as much anxiety as possible for residents.
“[We wanted] to start to slowly, if you will, to expose our residents to visitors again, so that they can get used to having folks walk around community and drive around our community.”
On May 14, the federal government announced the partial reopening of some national parks in June. Camping will still not be permitted until at least June 21, but some trails and green spaces will be opened.
Follow RMOToday.com's COVID-19 special section for the latest local and national news on the coronavirus pandemic, as well as resources, FAQs and more.
