On Jan. 20, 2021, the President signed Executive Order 13991, Protecting the Federal Workforce and Requiring Mask-Wearing (E.O. 13991). E.O. 13991 directs federal agencies to: “… immediately take action, as appropriate and consistent with applicable law, to require compliance with [Centers for Disease Control and Prevention] guidelines with respect to wearing masks, maintaining physical distance, and other public health measures by: on-duty or on-site Federal employees; on-site Federal contractors; and all persons in Federal buildings or on Federal lands."
In order to protect the health and safety of NPS employees, volunteers, partners and contractors, and park visitors, Superintendent Elexis J. Fredy has implemented mask-wearing requirements for park visitors, using the authority in 36 CFR 1.5(a)(2). This authority allows superintendents to impose restrictions on activities within park areas for the maintenance of public health and safety.
The following outdoor areas, when others are present, where the superintendent has determined that physical distancing (staying at least six feet apart) cannot reasonably be maintained:
• Outdoor areas adjacent to the American Camp Visitor Center, American Camp Parade Grounds, English Camp Parade Grounds/Officers Hill, and the English Camp Dingy Dock.
• Parking Areas at South Beach Day Use Area, Jakle’s Lagoon/Mt. Finlayson Trailhead, 4th of July Beach & Picnic Area, English Camp Main Parking Area, and the English Camp Administrative Campground.
• Crowded trail networks of the American Camp Redoubt / Prairie - South Beach / Bluff Trail / Granny’s Cove; Jakle’s Lagoon/Mt. Finlayson Loop, Mitchell & Young Hills networks, and the Bell Point - Westcott Bay Loop Trail network.
Masks must cover the nose and mouth and fit snugly around the nose and chin with no large gaps around the sides of the face. Masks not designed to be protective, masks with ventilation valves, and face shields do not meet the requirement.
Source: U.S. Department of the Interior, National Park Service
