The Victoria Day weekend is typically one of the busiest times of the year for travel and the unofficial kickstart to the summer, but for the second year, Albertans will be spending the May long weekend closer to home.

The Canada / U.S. border has been closed for more than a year now, and restrictions on non-essential travel have been in place since March 21, 2020.

For the past 14 months, the border closure has been revisited and extended on a near-monthly basis. Last month that extension was set to expire on May 21-- just in time for the May long weekend, now that won't be happening.

On Tuesday, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau stated that "cases need to be under control, and over 75 per cent of people need to be vaccinated" in order for the border to reopen.

Albertans won't be able to head to our neighbouring province over the long weekend either. 

Road signs are up at the Alberta / B.C. border stating that any travel into the province at this time should be for essential reasons only. The travel ban into B.C. will be in effect until May 25.

The good news is, unlike last year Provincial Parks are open for business this holiday long weekend, that is, for all those Albertans who were lucky enough to snatch up a camping reservation early.