The COVID-19 checkpoint on Highway 5 at the border of Alberta and the NWT will be removed starting Aug. 1.

The Government of the Northwest Territories Press SecretarySA国际影视传媒檚 Office said in a news release on July 21 that the station near Fort Smith will see its last day on July 31.

According to the release, extensive consultation has been done with Indigenous leaders in the area as well as the Town of Fort Smith and notes the municipality has one of the highest vaccination rates in the NWT.

The removal of the checkpoint will mean that accessing Wood Buffalo National Park will be easier for northerners.

SA国际影视传媒漈he border serves as a gateway into Wood Buffalo National Park and popular destinations on the Alberta side of the border such as the Pine Lake area and the Salt River trail network,SA国际影视传媒� said Dawn Ostrem, communications manager with the COVID Secretariat in the release. SA国际影视传媒淲hen the checkpoint is removed, the pass system needed to travel to those locations will be discontinued.SA国际影视传媒�

People from Alberta visiting the national park will be able to continue accessing it through Highways 1, 2 and 5.

SA国际影视传媒淏order security at Highway 1 will notify the Compliance and Enforcement Officer located in Fort Smith of Alberta travellers en route to Wood Buffalo National Park,SA国际影视传媒� Ostrem said.

SA国际影视传媒淎lberta campers and tourists must abide by person in-transit conditions,SA国际影视传媒� which are laid out in the territorySA国际影视传媒檚 Public Health Order - COVID-19 Travel Restrictions and Self-Isolation regulations.

NWT residents can contact ProtectNWT with inquiries and complaints and officers will investigate all complaints.