Gulf Breeze, Fla. - Gulf Islands National Seashore is announcing modifications to operations to implement the latest guidance from the White House, Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC), and local and state authorities to promote social distancing. As of March 18, operations within the national seashore will be modified. Where it is possible to adhere to the latest health guidance, park beaches, islands, hiking trails, fishing piers, campgrounds, and Forts Pickens and Massachusetts remain open at this time.
The following will be cancelled parkwide:
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All ranger led programs have been cancelled
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Special Use permits for activities with 10 or more people have been cancelled
The following will be closed in Florida:
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The Fort Barrancas Area including the forts and visitor center
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The Naval Live Oaks Exhibit Area at park headquarters
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The Fort Pickens Discovery Center and Bookstore
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The restrooms in Clusters A & E at Opal Beach
The following will be closed in Mississippi:
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The William M. Colmer Visitor Center in the Davis Bayou Area
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The restrooms at Picnic Pavilions 1 & 5 in the Davis Bayou Area
Concession Operations:
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Pensacola Bay Cruises & have announced they will operate at 50% capacity to allow for recommended six feet between passenger groups, and have implemented increased cleaning procedures.
The health and safety of our visitors, employees, volunteers, and partners at Gulf Islands National Seashore is our number one priority. The National Park Service (NPS) is working with the federal, state, and local authorities to closely monitor the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) situation. We will notify the public when we resume full operations and provide updates on our website and social media channels.
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, we ask that they take extra caution and follow CDC guidance for those at higher risk of serious illness.
Updates about NPS operations will be posted on www.nps.gov/coronavirus. Please check with individual parks for specific details about park operations. All Gulf Islands National Seashore status updates will be posted online at https://www.nps.gov/guis/planyourvisit/tempclosures.htm, www.Facebook.com/GulfIslandsNPS, and www.Twitter.com/GulfIslandsNPS.
About Gulf Islands National Seashore: Created in 1971, the national seashore stretches 160 miles along the northern coast of the Gulf of Mexico in Florida and Mississippi, and includes barrier islands, maritime forests, historic forts, bayous, and marine habitat. Visit us at www.nps.gov/guis, on Facebook www.facebook.com/GulfIslandsNPS, Twitter www.twitter.com/GulfIslandsNPS, Instagram www.Instagram.com/GulfIslandsNPS.
About the National Park Service: More than 20,000 National Park Service employees care for America's 419 national parks and work with communities across the nation to help preserve local history and create close-to-home recreational opportunities. Visit us at www.nps.gov, on Facebook www.facebook.com/nationalparkservice and Twitter www.twitter.com/natlparkservice.
-NPS-
Tags: news news release press press release gulf islands national seashore covid-19 coronavirus florida mississippi
Source: U.S. Department of the Interior, National Park Service
