BARTLETT COVE, AK - Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve is announcing additional modifications to operations to support federal, state, and local efforts to slow the spread of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19).
As of April 2, 2020, in support of a recent health mandate issued by the State of Alaska and a City of Gustavus resolution, the Bartlett Cove Public Use Dock in Glacier Bay National Park will only be open to use by individuals who meet the city quarantine restrictions or who are involved in essential activities as defined by the state and city proclamations. Dock users are also required per state and local guidance to keep six feet from others, avoid crowded situations, and limit public gatherings to less than ten people.
Late last week the state issued the COVID-19 Health Mandate 012 for intra-state travel, which prohibits in-state travel between communities unless travel is to support critical infrastructure or for critical personal needs. On April 1, the City of Gustavus issued Resolution CY20-13, which adopted the language of the state’s mandate regarding intra-state travel and also calls for any person traveling to Gustavus by vessel or airplane to complete and submit at the appropriate venue a travel declaration form, self-quarantine for 14 days upon arrival, and to monitor for symptom of illness.
The Bartlett Cove Public Use Dock is part of the city. With the current closure of the Gustavus dock, the public use dock could become a significant water access point to the community of Gustavus. Park officials request that vessels and floatplanes call in to the park prior entry. Those seeking to use the dock in Bartlett Cove must specify and receive clearance before making contact with the structure.
Individuals are responsible to know the parameters of allowable travel per the state mandate and local resolution. Those vessels not cleared for docking may anchor and floatplanes may land on the water, but individuals and any items aboard cannot be transferred to the dock or beach by any other means.
The health and safety of our visitors, employees, volunteers, and partners at the Bartlett Cove Public Use Dock is our number one priority. The National Park Service (NPS) is working servicewide with federal, state, and local authorities to closely monitor the COVID-19 pandemic. We will notify the public when we resume full operations and provide updates on our website www.nps.gov/glba and social media channels.
If contemplating a visit to a national park during this pandemic, the NPS asks visitors to adhere to guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and state and local public health authorities to protect visitors and employees. As services are limited, the NPS urges visitors to continue to practice Leave No Trace principles, including pack-in and pack-out, to keep outdoor spaces safer and healthier.
Updates about NPS operations will be posted on www.nps.gov/coronavirus. Please check with individual parks for specific details about park operations.
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. Learn more at www.nps.gov, and on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube.
Source: U.S. Department of the Interior, National Park Service
