HALIFAX -- Canadian Forces bases in Halifax have heightened security measures after shootings on Parliament Hill and at the National War Memorial in Ottawa.

Capt. Peter Ryan of Maritime Forces Atlantic says gates to the waterfront navy base, the air base and other bases in the city have been locked.

He says other measures can't be discussed in order to ensure the safety and security of military personnel.

Ryan says the security measures aren't in response to any local incidents.

A source in the Defence Department says instructions were also sent by email on behalf of Rear Admiral John Newton to personnel advising them to avoid appearing in uniform in public places.

A spokesman for the Defence Department in Ottawa could not be reached for comment on whether a similar directive had been issued to military personnel across the country.

The source confirmed that the message from Newton asked staff "to restrict movement in uniform in public as much as possible."