Cumberland Gap National Historical Park closed on Monday due to the coronavirus pandemic/Harold Jerrell file
Cumberland Gap National Historical Park, which touches Kentucky, Virginia, and Tennessee, was the latest park to close entirely due to the coronavirus pandemic, with the gates locked at noon local time Monday.
"This closure includes all park trails, the Pinnacle Road and overlook, the visitor center and parking area, all restrooms, the Wilderness Road Campground and picnic area, the Bartlett Park Road and picnic area, the Sugar Run Picnic Area, the Civic Park Picnic Area, and all backcountry campsites. Law enforcement rangers continue to patrol, monitor the park, and enforce all rules," a park release said.
“During this pandemic, this park closure is necessary to ensure that visitor, employee, volunteer and park partner lives are not put at further risk,” said Superintendent Charles Sellars. “Visitors need to think hard about the trickle-down effect of their ‘All I’m doing is going out for a hike.’
"If a visitor were injured, the park’s limited staffing would literally mean hours for a rescue," the superintendent added. "Once a rescue is initiated, the park’s emergency response personnel would be at high risk due to the close proximity required to stabilize the visitor and also during the carry out. An injured visitor puts additional strain on medical personnel at hospitals already dealing with the novel corona virus.”
The park also has had to purchase personal protective equipment for its staff, a reality that has placed an additional burden on the dwindling PPE supplies required at hospitals and other medical facilities throughout the United States, the park release added.
Grand Canyon National Park in Arizona remained open Monday, though with restrictions. While park campgrounds, lodging, and visitor centers were closed, visitors still had access to the Canyon Village Market (open daily from noon to 6 p.m,.), Chase Bank (from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday), Grand Canyon Post Office (window service open 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Monday through Friday), Bright Angel Bicycle Grab & Go Café and Coffee Bar (open daily from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.), Grand Canyon Clinic (open 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday Through Friday), and self-serve gas was available daily at the Desert View Gas Station (credit card only).
On Sunday, all Redwood National and State Parks parking areas were closed to vehicles, as were Davison Road, Howland Hill Road, and the Newton B. Drury Parkway.
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