Are you canceling your annual trek to the National Park System this year due to coronavirus?/Rebecca Latson file
If you haven't already made plans for your national park escape this year, you should be doing that now. Unless, of course, you've decided to skip the parks this year due to the coronavirus outbreak.
The thought of sitting in an airliner for a few hours with other potentially sick passengers is always a concern, but the hype around the novel coronavirus adds to those concerns. And the thought of visiting a park that attracts a lot of international visitors might be concerning as well. So what are you going to do this year?
Around the National Park System, staff is approaching the current situation much as it does flu season.
"While there have been no identified cases of coronavirus in any national park, the NPS Office of Public Health and the U.S. Public Health Service officers assigned to the National Park Service are closely monitoring the situation and keeping staff informed, relying on the most updated data and information from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention," Park Service staff told Traveler late last month. "Parks are informed to follow CDC guidance regarding preventative actions to help prevent the spread of viruses, particularly during flu and respiratory disease season."
Of course, on the flip side, national attention and concern could make park lodging prices fall this summer if a great number of folks start canceling their trips, making a visit more affordable. That's definitely something to watch if you are flexible with your travel plans and are willing to go ahead with your vacation in spite of the coronavirus news.
But as of today, what are you thinking of doing?
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Comments
We have planned a 7 week motorhome trip to California national parks starting mid-April. Biggest issue we see emerging is potential for larger rather than smaller crowds. With schools, theme parks and sporting events shutting down, the parks may become one of the last venues for escape. They could end up with heavy populations of kids as parents look for activities to keep their kids busy and out of trouble.
We are looking to our very first road trip in the Central Coast of California next week. Can't wait to escape the irrational madness and hysteria over this.
The stars aligned for most of my family to go to the Grand Canyon in April. Praying we don't have to cancel because of travel restrictions or closure.
People say in park that are not safe, we need companys that take safety very seriously., and they don't because some employees just don't care to do there jobs in proper manner. Or even to do the right thing even when they are given proof of the things don't done the proper way.