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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 Lo osgood on March 16, 2020 - 7:59am.

You're not the one working with the people from all over the world, in a city (Atlanta) park.  Info from the feds have been lacking.


Submitted by Sanaa on March 16, 2020 - 8:40am.

Are all the national parks open? if so, im definitly visiting 


Submitted by Michael. Walker on March 16, 2020 - 9:11am.

Camping is probably the best means of social distancing  fresh air and sunshine 


Submitted by Brian Olmstead on March 16, 2020 - 9:38am.

Parks and campgrounds need to remain open. Camping/ hiking are good open air activities. If tourist areas are too crowded, close them, but not the camping activities.  


Submitted by Seriously on March 16, 2020 - 2:26pm.

Thank you for having common sense.  It is absolutely ridiculous


Submitted by Seriously on March 16, 2020 - 2:26pm.

Yes, lets continue to panic and make things worse.  People like this are why we have so many issues.  Relax people.


Submitted by Bryan on March 16, 2020 - 3:03pm.

Best response ever!


Submitted by Rose on March 16, 2020 - 5:47pm.

Leave the parks open! We need the fresh air now more than ever! People need something to do and being outdoors is safer than anywhere else.


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