Following guidance from the President of the United States, CDC (Center of Disease Control), CTF (Coronavirus Task Force) and recommendations from local public health authorities in consultation with National Park Service Public Health Service officers, park closures have been implemented and are in effect from March 17 to April 12 — or until rescinded. Updates will be posted to both park social media channels and local media outlets
The following temporary closures will be put in place for Christiansted National Historic Site:
All park events have been canceled until April 12 or until rescinded.
Park administration buildings will be closed to the public; call park staff at the number provided for assistance with activities or questions related to park operations. People may also reach out to the National Park Service through its Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/ChristianstedNPS
Fort Christiansvaern will be closed to visitors; repairs on exterior masonry will continue as planned. Fort Parking Lot will be closed until April 12 or until rescinded.
Public bathrooms will be closed until April 12 or until rescinded.
Eastern National Bookstore will remain open and serve as park point of contact for visitor information.
Information on any additional closures will be provided through all media outlets and posted as necessary.
The following advisements will be put in place for Buck Island Reef National Monument:
Buck Island Reef National Monument will remain open to visitation. The park superintendent has limited concessions boating operations to a 10-person maximum, including captain and crew, until further notice. NPS strongly urges all public boat operators to observe the CDC-recommended, maximum group size of no more than 10 persons per boat and to maintain recommended social distancing when on the beach.
The following closure remains in effect for Salt River Bay National Historical Park and Ecological Preserve:
SARI Visitor Contact station remains closed from damage caused by hurricanes Irma and Maria.
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NPS Additional Press Briefing, Held March 17, 2020, in Washington D.C.
The National Park Service Is Modifying Operations to Implement Latest Health Guidance
The National Park Service (NPS) is taking extraordinary steps to implement the latest guidance from the White House, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and local and state authorities to promote social distancing. The NPS is modifying operations, until further notice, for facilities and programs that cannot adhere to this guidance. Where it is possible to adhere to this guidance, outdoor spaces will remain open to the public.
“The health and safety of our visitors, employees, volunteers, and partners is the priority of the National Park Service,” Secretary of the Interior David Bernhardt said. “Park superintendents are empowered to modify their operations, including closing facilities and cancelling programs, to address the spread of the coronavirus.”
“The NPS is working with federal, state, and local authorities, while we as a nation respond to this public health challenge,” NPS Deputy Director David Vela said. “Park superintendents are assessing their operations now to determine how best to protect the people and their parks going forward.”
The NPS urges visitors to do their part when visiting a park and to follow CDC guidance to prevent the spread of infectious diseases by maintaining a safe distance between yourself and other groups; washing your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds; avoiding touching your eyes, nose and mouth; covering your mouth and nose when you cough or sneeze; and, most importantly, staying home if you feel sick.
For high-risk populations, such as the elderly and people with underlying conditions, NPS asks that people take extra caution and follow CDC guidance for those at higher risk of serious illness.
Updates about the NPS response to the coronavirus will be posted on www.nps.gov/coronavirus. Please check with individual parks for specific details about park operations.
If there are questions, contact Supervisory Park Ranger Gabriel Laurencin at 277-6863 or Park Superintendent Gregory Camacho at 773-1460 ext. 222 or go to www.nps.gov/chri for additional information and updates.
