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
These closures are necessary to protect all people, visitors, employees, and surrounding communities. This situation will end, and the less traveling and going out the sooner it is contained. I was planning a NPS trip but it can be done later, when it is safe for all. You may be responsible but as shown already, many people don't take this pandemic or strict orders seriously and so put everyone else at risk. It will be over and we can all travel openly and easy..
How about an update for the full time RV travelers who have been completely ignored? What could possibly be safer than a park for isolating?
You haven't been ignored, Vicki. If you look at the following story, it lists the park campgrounds that have been closed, and calls out RV parks if that information has been provided.
https://www.nationalparkstraveler.org/2020/03/coronavirus-and-national-p...
At Grand Canyon, for instance, Trailer Village is open, but only for full hook-up sites.
And at Olympic National Park, Olympic National Park, Washington: All park campgrounds closed as of March 22; Sol Duc Resort, Campground & RV Park delayed opening until April 24.
NOCA [North Cascades NationalPark] announced today that as of tomorrow, 3/25/2020, the NPS will offer no services beyond that necessary for visitor and resource protection in response to the several proclamations issued by the governor of the state of Washington. Further details, to include campgrounds, boat ramps, access roads, etc., can all be found online at NPS.gov.
"Me" "Mine" "I'm looking forward to.." "We will take precautions..." "Our trip..." "My kids..." Amazing how many posts are filled with these and similar terms. It's all about the individual.
Sure, you can try to stay away from other people, and wash your hands (if the facilities are open and not totally vandalized") and use sanitizer. But even with the gift shops and visitor centers closed, rangers will still be needed to patrol. Already there are reports of vandalism, and people ripping off the toilet paper and sanitizer, for crissake! And heaven forbid if one of these pilgrims falls down a cliff or into a river and there isn't a ranger on hand to rescue them. Why, the outrage of it!
Yes, many people -- me among them -- were looking forward to upcoming trips now cancelled or on hold. But if I went, unknowingly caught the virus and, with no symptoms, passed it to someone else, and they passed it to a child or an elder, then I am as responsible as if I'd deliberately sickened or killed that person.
That is a risk I cannot and will not take. What about you?
The National Park Service continues to closely monitor and respond to the COVID-19 pandemic. Following guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and state and local officials, park operations continue to adapt to changing conditions while maintaining public access, particularly outdoor spaces.