With the large international visitation that the National Park System receives, it's only natural to wonder how the National Park Service is guarding against visitors who might be infected with Coronavirus.
Yellowstone, Yosemite, Grand Canyon, Bryce Canyon, Zion, and Death Valley are among the park units that attract large numbers of international visitors.
"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," Alexandra Picavet, the acting chief spokesperson for the Park Service, said Tuesday.
"Parks are informed to follow CDC guidance regarding preventative actions to help prevent the spread of viruses, particularly during flu and respiratory disease season."
Comments
What about the employees who can't afford to not be working? I've been in the parks for many years and probably been exposed to every virus there is. I'd rather take my chances than lose both my income and my sanity.
What source did they get for this? I work in the park, and I assure you no roads are closed. The nearest interstate is I40- an hour away from the Grand Canyon. It is not closed. Hwy 64 to the park is not closed. There are businesses along these roadways and they can't close because they need to function.
Just another example of the crazy misinformation that is getting out there.
so many people have had to cancel vacations throughout the country and world: including myself:
How selfish you all are who want the parks opened....the employees are also vulnerable,,, who can potentially get the virus and spread it to their families and friends,,,,there will be another time to travel: deal with it , just like millions of others are !!!
A lot of the national parks are in wide open spaces and is safer to be there than anywhere else, closing the parks is not a good idea
Unless you are 65 or older of have an underlying health condition - then it can kill you. Have some compassion for your friends or relatives who are in the high risk group. How would you feel if somone infected your loved one with dire consequences.
All parks should be closing ... think about the restrooms, the shops, the cabins, picnic tables. How can they be constantly sanitized and disinfected? What about the mattresses in the cabins ... are they being disinfected between guests? It's time, folks ... I know it isn't fun, but we need to flatten that curve asap!!!!
Safer? For whom? Not for park employees. There are plenty of unstaffed state parks. Stay home and visit one of your local state parks.
As much as it pains me to reccomend: close the parks!! glacier national park sees 3 million visitors a year! Yosemite sees about 4 million!
Millions of people, coming from all over the world!!! mingling.. and congregating.
IF parks stay open.. it allows people the OPTION of thinking individualistically and selfishly.
It would be incredibly irresponsible of the NPS not to close.