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.
Comments
I'm not sure why national parks are staying open when they see millions of guests each year!!? Also it sucks if you work and live in the park for conessions. unlike nps we live in the park usually right next to all the guests. Our edr is right next to our court yard which sees thousand of people a day. We are getting people from all over the country still and honestly I think this is the worst place to be right now. I also see a lot of people saying bows the time to visit these placing just making it even busier here.
you've obviously not been to Rocky Mtn National Park where you do stand shoulder to shoulder waiting to use the 'restrooms' - which don't have water or soap. The visitors centers tend to be packed as well.
The parks are fresh air, sunshine and good for your mental and physical health. May need to limit numbers or places to gather. Close gift shops and restaurants. People will get used to bringing their own soap and toilet paper! PLEASE, for the sake of our sanity, leave the parks open!
No more than 10 people gathered means close all park hotels and restaurants except for take out. Stop the bus tours. Leave the parks open to small vehicle and tent camping, hikers, and sightseeing.
Leave the parks open! People need an outdoor outlet with everything else closing up!
I suggest leaving the parks open (trails) but shutting down the restaurants and gift shops... seems like the park higher ups are more concerned about money. Profit over people. Economy is correlated with health.. when all the employees get sick who's going to run the shop?
Yes, please leave the parks open. With kids home from scholl this is a great learning opportunity for them, without exposing them to gatherings. We can get excercise instead of being cooped up inside.
I believe that the National Park Visitors Centers should close but man the phones to answer questions. All lodges and restaurants should also close. Any enclosed areas like caves and guided tours should also be closed. However, I feel that all roads and open areas should remain open with park rangers to oversee the safety of visitors to outdoor recreation of all parks as always.