Key takeaways:
- The yearly pilgrimage, anticipated to draw thousands of visitors, begins with a visit from Pope Francis.
- A blue-green algae advisory has been issued for Lac Ste. Anne, Alta., simply days ahead of the yearly pilgrimage and a visit from the Pope.
Alberta Health Services has issued blue-green algae bloom warning for Lac Ste. Anne, Alta., simply days before the Pope is set to see, kick off the community’s annual pilgrimage — an event anticipated to attract thousands of people.
“We believe that this lake is of high importance to many people, and we expect that it will be visited by large numbers of people next week as part of the Papal visit,” AHS said in a press release issued Thursday.
“We are working with organizers of the visit to assure that people can lessen their risk if they choose to visit the lake.”
Visitors and citizens in the area should evade any contact with the blooms, and they should not swim or wade in places where the algae are visible, AHS says.
Read more: Wildfire around Nordegg, Alta. provokes evacuation order for areas of Clearwater County
If someone comes into touch, they should wash with tap water as soon as likely, AHS says.
The Lac Ste. Anne’s pilgrimage is set to restart in person from July 26 to 29. The yearly pilgrimage had risen to nearly 40,000 people in 2019 — the last year it was held before closing down for the COVID-19 pandemic.
This year’s pilgrimage will begin with an hour visit from Pope Francis. Organizers say this year’s pilgrimage will persist as planned, including the visit from the Pope.
“The health and security of everyone attending the pilgrimage is a top priority. To that end, cleansing stations will be open at the Lac Ste Anne pilgrimage site,” Andrew Ehrkamp, a representative for the Catholic Archdiocese of Edmonton, told CBC News in an email.
Source – CBC News
