NPS Public Health Update

The National Park Service works with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention as well as state, tribal, and local public health authorities and the Federal Emergency Management Agency to ensure the safety of park visitors, employees, volunteers, and partners. When we are responding to an ongoing public health incident, this page will provide timely updates about our response activities and links to specific information about parks that may be involved.

COVID-19

The NPS continues to monitor and respond to the COVID-19 pandemic, following guidance from the CDC, Safer Federal Workforce Task Force, and DOI, and working with the NPS Office of Public Health to use the latest science to guide our decision making.

According to the CDC, risks of severe disease, hospitalization, and death from COVID-19 have been greatly reduced by increased vaccination levels and population immunity as well as the wide availability of treatments. Additional prevention strategies, including testing, are effective ways to keep you and your loved ones safe.

Masking in Parks

NPS ongoing masking guidance is based on the CDC’s COVID-19 Community Levels tool, which helps communities decide what prevention steps to take. In areas the CDC identifies as high COVID-19 community level, masks are required for everyone in all NPS buildings regardless of vaccination status. In most low and medium COVID-19 community level areas, masks are optional in NPS buildings, but visitors should follow signs and instructions from park staff and volunteers. Masks are required on all forms of enclosed government-operated transportation. In situations where masks are not required, visitors and employees are always welcome to wear one if it makes them more comfortable.

Updates will be posted on individual park websites and in parks to help you plan your visit.

Staying Safe in Parks and Recreating Responsibly

Make sure you’re ready for your visit by checking the park website to begin planning your trip. Check with individual park websites or download the NPS App for specific details about their operations.

The CDC has noted that being physically active is one of the best ways to keep the mind and body healthy. In most areas, people can visit parks, trails, and open spaces as a way to relieve stress, get some fresh air and vitamin D, stay active, and safely connect with members of their household. Research the park you want to visit in advance to ensure an enjoyable and safe experience. Park rangers are on duty to uphold normal rules and regulations and assist visitors as needed.

For the health and safety of others, please choose another time to visit a park if: 

• You are experiencing COVID-like symptoms such as a dry cough, fever, difficulty breathing, and/or loss of taste or smell.
• You are self-isolating because you are or may be sick with COVID-19.

Whether seeking wide-open spaces or exploring a historic urban neighborhood, visitors should follow CDC guidance to reduce the spread of COVID-19 and recreate responsibly.

Protecting Our Employees

Employees, volunteers, partners, and contractors are required to wear face masks while inside federal buildings in areas with high COVID-19 community levels. When required, the NPS issues protective equipment to employees performing critical functions like visitor and resource protection, EMS, and facility maintenance, among others. Following CDC guidance, park staff clean and maintain facilities to safeguard employee and public health and safety. We follow the latest CDC guidance for risk assessment, disease prevention, and protection of public spaces and workplaces.

We track confirmed employee cases of COVID-19 and recovery. However, we will only provide public information where an employee presented an exposure risk to the public based on CDC guidance. In addition, where employees may have exposed any of their colleagues, the NPS Office of Public Health will work with state, Tribal, or local authorities and the impacted employees to follow proper public health procedures to keep one another safe.

Changes in Park, Facility, and Program Operations

Please check with individual parks for specific details about park operations.

Some NPS programs may have changed their operations as well (e.g., extended due dates for reporting or applications, shortened hours of operation, changed contact information, etc.). Please check with the program for details. If you are an operational partner of the NPS (e.g., concessioner, cooperating association, or philanthropic organization), visit the Public Health Information for the Park Partner Community page.

Digital Resources

News Releases

Other Federal Resources and Information

Safer Federal Workforce Task Force

The Safer Federal Workforce Task Force is led by the White House COVID-19 Response Team, the General Services Administration, and the Office of Personnel Management. Task Force members include the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Department of Veterans Affairs, the Federal Emergency Management Agency, the Federal Protective Service, the Office of Management and Budget, and the United States Secret Service.

Leading the Federal Response

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention at the US Department of Health and Human Services is the lead federal agency with responsibility for public health.

What the U.S. Government Is Doing

GSA has created a landing page on USA.gov (Español) for government-wide information related to COVID-19 activities.