Territorial parks and campgrounds will open at 9 a.m. Thursday.

Facilities including outhouses, boat launches, playgrounds and picnic shelters will be open.

Yukoners are encouraged to be as self-contained as possible, the territorial government said Friday, and to take the following precautions:

• pre-purchase your camping permit online or at a vendor;

• pack everything you need before leaving town to limit stops in the communities;

• only buy supplies in the community if stores are welcoming business;

• bring extra water, soap, hand sanitizer and toilet paper;

• only camp with members of your “combined household bubble,” maximum one bubble per site;

• clean your picnic table and other common use areas before and after use;

• use your RV’s toilet, if you have one; and

• follow all park and campground rules.

All orders and recommendations issued by Dr. Brendan Hanley, the Yukon’s chief medical officer, apply in territorial parks and campgrounds.

Non-residents who are required by law to travel through the Yukon within 24 hours cannot stay nor stop in government-run campgrounds.

Those required to self-isolate may not do so in territorial parks or campgrounds.

Residents of the British Columbia communities of Atlin, Fire Side, Pleasant Camp, Fraser and Jade City are not required to self-isolate and are welcome to use territorial parks and campgrounds.

Existing rules for campground reservations remain in place. Camping permits for Yukon residents are now available online or from vendors.

“We look forward to welcoming Yukoners into places where they can enjoy the outdoors and spend quality time with family,” said Environment Minister Pauline Frost.

“Take extra time to pack everything you need before leaving town to limit stops in the communities and be extra-diligent to follow the six steps to staying safe while camping.

“Camping will be different this year, and we ask you to help us keep campgrounds safe and open.”

The government also urges members of the public to practise the six steps to staying safe and preventing the spread of COVID-19:

• physical distancing – keep two metres (six feet) away from everyone who’s not a member of your household;

• wash your hands frequently with soap and water, or use hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol;

• stay home if you’re feeling sick;

• don’t gather in groups of more than 10 people and remember to keep two metres (six feet) apart.

• limit travel to rural communities.

• self-isolate if you’ve just returned to the territory, or if you’ve been in contact with someone diagnosed with COVID-19.