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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 TerriO on March 13, 2020 - 9:02pm.

I agree they ahould stay open.what can be healthier than being outdoors!!


Submitted by Corinne on March 13, 2020 - 9:05pm.

Let them stay home. We don't need food service and really don't need trinkets. We just want to camp and hike away from everyone.


Submitted by David Evans on March 13, 2020 - 9:05pm.

no leadership how???


Submitted by Anonymous on March 13, 2020 - 9:12pm.

I 100% agree with you. Schools in my area have been shut down for 2 weeks and my school doesn't even been exposed. I don't know that I can do for 2 weeks but I do know that I am going to take this time to go hiking.


Submitted by Andre on March 13, 2020 - 10:43pm.

What better way to create "social distance" than keeping our parks open.  Get out on the trail...and, wash your hands!


Submitted by Linda Kelly on March 14, 2020 - 12:36am.

The park will be more enjoyable for locals with less international visitors. With less traffic, critters will be out more too. Keep only major concessionaires open so people spend more time outdoors hiking or in their cars. Time in Yellowstone promotes good health, and good health promotes good immune systems.


Submitted by Jayne on March 14, 2020 - 1:26am.

You all must know that germs are dispersed outdoors very efficiently.  And is there nothing more stress relieving than a walk in nature. Please don't shut down  this amazing system. 


Submitted by Papa Goose on March 14, 2020 - 5:33am.

Why close parks?  Let's think about it folk...mind your personal space a little more, wash your hands, keep your hands to yourself, cough or sneeze into a kerchief...crook of your arm...be polite and smart...and GO do things where you get out of doors and build your health and immune system through ACTIVITY!  Stay six feet away especially if someone sniffles, coughs or sneezes, take your vitamins, drink water and get rest.  I don't know maybe I am nuts...but living smart seems like a better option to shutting everyone and everything of.

Good Healtg to all!

Papa Goose.


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