Grand Canyon remains open while employees, local officials push for its closure
Grand Canyon National Park is staying open amid the coronavirus outbreak despite a push by both National Park Service (NPS) employees and local officials for its closure, documents obtained by The Hill show.
Health experts and parks advocates have warned that recent crowding at national parks could contribute to the spread of the coronavirus, threatening the public and parks employees, and emails sent last week show growing concern among many at one of the country's most popular parks.
An employee of the Grand Canyon’s emergency medical services (EMS) branch said in a March 25 email to other staff members that the park “has closure support from the [Grand Canyon] Superintendent, Regional Director, and NPS Director as well as the Coconino County Board of Supervisors, the Navajo Nation, Tusayan Chamber of Commerce, and the Tusayan Fire Department.”
The administration, however, seemingly invited people to visit the parks by waiving fees earlier this month. “This small step makes it a little easier for the American public to enjoy the outdoors in our incredible National Parks,” Secretary David Bernhardt of the Interior Department, which oversees the NPS, said in a statement at the time.
https://thehill.com/policy/energy-environment/490277-grand-canyon-remains-open-while-officials-push-for-its-closure
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