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National Parks Remain Open During Coronavirus Epidemic

Published Date

March 12, 2020
Coronavirus image/CDC,Alissa Eckert, MS; Dan Higgins, MAMS

Coronavirus image/CDC,Alissa Eckert, MS; Dan Higgins, MAMS

National parks and their facilities remain open during the coronavirus epidemic in the United States while National Park Service officials await further guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, agency staff said Thursday.

"To help guide the National Park Service operational response to the novel (new) coronavirus (COVID-19), the NPS Office of Public Health and the U.S. Public Health Service officers assigned to the NPS are closely monitoring the situation and keeping staff informed," Park Service acting chief spokesperson Stephanie Roulett told the Traveler in an email. "They are relying on the most updated data and information from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention(CDC), the Office of Personnel and Management (OPM), state and local public health authorities, and coordinating with the DOI Office of Emergency Management.

"The national parks are open and facilities are maintaining continuity of operations," she added. "The NPS is focused on ensuring employees, their families, volunteers, and visitors are safe by following the most current guidance from the CDC, OPM, OEM, and other federal, state, and local health authorities."

The Park Service has been working to keep the public up-to-date on the situation via its public health website.

Representatives for Xanterra Parks & Resorts and Delaware North, two of the largest concessionaires in the National Park System with operations in places such as Yellowstone, Glacier, Grand Canyon, Death Valley, Sequoia, and Shenandoah national parks, did not immediately reply Thursday to emailed requests for how they were approaching the epidemic in their park lodges and restaurants.

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Comments

Submitted by Louanne on March 13, 2020 - 7:23pm.

It is open air! Good for health! We need somewhere to take the kids furing the extended spring break!


Submitted by Randy At on March 13, 2020 - 7:41pm.

One size does not fit all. Not all parks are only outdoors. Many are historical parks/sites or parks that have popular historic properties with close quarters even in visitor centers. Delegate decisions down to at least the regional director.


Submitted by tired of the bs on March 13, 2020 - 7:49pm.

Must be nice to be an employee who can afford to sit on your butt. Some of us need to be working to recover from winter.

i also worry about the mental health of a country that locks itself up for the next few months. People do need air and sunlight. In fact, sunlight is helpful in battling many viruses.


Submitted by Tired of the bs on March 13, 2020 - 7:52pm.

Many can't afford not to work. Most live within the parks, and if our businesses are shut down, eventually we can be thrown out of our homes!


Submitted by Rascal Minihan on March 13, 2020 - 8:09pm.

if you are at a NP, you should be able to enjoy it without being next to others or touching others. Most NPs cover many to thousands of square miles. Take the road/trail less traveled. Leave the National Parks open. Workers at NPs can wear protective gear. They should not have to touch people, unless in safety or enforcement.


Submitted by Ron on March 13, 2020 - 8:34pm.

Working just outside of a National Park in a retail facility I believe they should shut the parks down to pertect the community. Yosemite sees millions of people from all over the world. Keep us safe please ! 


Submitted by BB on March 13, 2020 - 8:50pm.

That is alarmist and irrational. 


Submitted by BB on March 13, 2020 - 8:53pm.

Does that mean that people in hospitals who have these same jobs should stay home too?


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