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National Parks Remain Open During Coronavirus Epidemic

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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 Beth Salas on March 13, 2020 - 12:52pm.

You can spread out at a national park. It's not like you ha e to stick to a crowd. They're pretty big places.. 


Submitted by Jameson on March 13, 2020 - 12:56pm.

Panic gains nothing. Shutting down everything means those who work in the parks, lodges, restaurants & nearby towns won't be able to pay their mortgage or rent, plus they will lose any healthcare coverage that their job provided. Has anyone given any thought on what to do with the millions of additional homeless people that this panic will have created?


Submitted by Diane McMorran on March 13, 2020 - 1:29pm.

You must not have visited Yosemite in recent years. The transport busses are loaded beyond capacity. The trails are like conveyor belts of people. There are very long lines for restrooms and almost no parking available. We were stuck in a tunnel due to traffic congestion, for nearly an hour. We finally ate our picnic in our car in the tunnel!


Submitted by Melissa13579 on March 13, 2020 - 1:29pm.

Agreed!


Submitted by SPCo7 on March 13, 2020 - 1:33pm.

Living life in fear is no way to live. To all of you that want to stay home, stay home. For all of you who want to get out and enjoy life, enjoy it. This will pass just like the N1H1, bird flue and so many others. I honestly feel like politics and politicaly biased media is to blame for the current fears running in regards to the "corona virus". I for one am not going to let fear dictate my life. However I will respect the virus and follow better the normal practices as far as personal hygiene goes. in closing, get out and enjoy life! 


Submitted by Lori Bliss on March 13, 2020 - 1:35pm.

Please leave these open. Something to do with the kids while they're out of school. 


Submitted by Christy on March 13, 2020 - 2:00pm.

I am a Grand Canyon employee as well, just waiting to see how this plays out. Most of our guest are either elderly or foreign.


Submitted by Geohorn on March 13, 2020 - 2:24pm.

I hope they stay open.  What the hell else am I going to do with my kids when their schools are closed for 2 months?


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