“Health officials in Park and Gallatin counties have called on Yellowstone National Park’s superintendent to lock the gates.
A Yellowstone spokesperson said park Superintendent Cam Sholly did not have a response to the requests. She instead said the agency is standing by recommendations it sent out on Friday regarding visitation during the COVID-19 outbreak.
The announcement said “park managers will continue to evaluate and adapt to changing COVID-19 guidance and adjust operations as needed. As of now, the park intends to maintain the regular opening schedule.”
Glacier Superintendent Jeff Mow was unable to comment on the possibility of further closures there.
Not closing national parks allows the Trump administration to “create a facade of normalcy,” according to Tim Whitehouse, executive director of Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility. “Encouraging mass park visitation amid a pandemic is irresponsible and endangers visitors and local communities.””
