The Blue Ridge Parkway has started to open some campgrounds that have been closed through the coronavirus pandemic, although many facilities and visitor centers remain closed.
According to a National Park Service news release, the parkway is opening the campgrounds "following guidance from the White House, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and state and local public health authorities."
The parkway is the second most visited national park in the country, with nearly 15 million visitors in 2019. It stretches 469 miles from Shenandoah National Park in Virginia to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park in Cherokee, passing directly through Asheville.
Most of the parkway in Western North Carolina closed April 15 to slow the spread of coronavirus.
However, since that time, the number of COVID-19 cases in North Carolina has continued to rise.
On July 27, a total of 1,473 lab-confirmed cases of COVID-19 had been reported in Buncombe residents, according to the N.C. Department of Health and Human Services. The county reported 46 deaths.
Mission Health once again reported record coronavirus hospitalizations with 250 new cases of COVID-19 identified in residents this week.
Related: Mission Hospital cites more record COVID hospitalizations in Asheville
"The National Park Service is working servicewide with federal, state, and local public health authorities to closely monitor the COVID-19 pandemic and using a phased approach to increase access on a park-by-park basis," the news release stated.
Beginning July 31, the parkway will reopen access to four campgrounds, two on the Virginia side, and two in North Carolina - Julian Price Park Campground at Milepost 297 and Linville Falls Campground at Milepost 316.4.
Reservations for each location are now available through www.recreation.gov with dates beginning July 31.
The following areas continue to be available: The Pisgah Inn and restaurant at MP 408, picnic areas, some restrooms, all parkway trails and all other sections of the roadway in North Carolina.
With public health in mind or due to ongoing projects or repairs, the following seasonal visitor facilities remain closed: all visitor centers, including the center at parkway headquarters in Asheville, Crabtree Falls Campground and Picnic Area and Mount Pisgah Campground.
Related: Will Parkway, Smokies $2.8 billion impact last through COVID-19?
"The health and safety of our visitors, employees, volunteers, and partners continues to be paramount," the release said.
"The parks continue to work closely with the NPS Office of Public Health using CDC guidance to ensure public and workspaces are safe and clean for visitors, employees, partners, and volunteers."
Related: Woman dies in motorcycle crash on Blue Ridge Parkway
Visitors are reminded to wear masks, keep a social distance of at least 6 feet from others not in their household, wash their hands often with soap and water, avoid crowded parking areas and trailheads and practice Leave No Trace principles, which includes packing out trash and human waste when trash receptacles are filled or restrooms are closed.
The CDC has offered guidance to help people recreating in parks and open spaces prevent the spread of infectious diseases. Parkway staff said they will continue to monitor all park functions to ensure that visitors adhere to CDC guidance for mitigating the spread of COVID-19 and take any additional steps necessary to protect public health.
Coronavirus: Trail etiquette for hiking during the COVID-19 pandemic
Details and updates on park operations will continue to be posted on the parkway website and social media. Updates about NPS operations will be posted on www.nps.gov/coronavirus.
Karen Chávez is an award-winning outdoors and environment reporter for the Asheville Citizen Times and USA TODAY Network. She is the author of "Best Hikes with Dogs: North Carolina," and is a former National Park Service ranger.
Reach me: KChavez@CitizenTimes.com or on Twitter @KarenChavezACT
Read more outdoors news: https://ift.tt/2SrtnxP
"open" - Google News
July 29, 2020 at 05:01PM
https://ift.tt/39Efao6
Blue Ridge Parkway begins to open campgrounds that have been closed through COVID pandemic - Citizen Times
"open" - Google News
https://ift.tt/3bYShMr
https://ift.tt/3d2SYUY
Bagikan Berita Ini
0 Response to "Blue Ridge Parkway begins to open campgrounds that have been closed through COVID pandemic - Citizen Times"
Post a Comment