G L AC I E R N AT I O N A L PA R K
Glacier reopens under new conditions Glacier National Park increased recreational access and services on a limited basis on June 8. Following guidance from the White House, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and state and local public health authorities, Glacier National Park is increasing recreational access and services on a limited basis. The park has been closed to visitors since March 24 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This limited opening approach will allow the park to continue coordinating with the Blackfeet Tribe while they maintain restrictions through June 30, help the park and internal business partners improve and refine mitigation actions with lighter levels of visitation, and allow for an assessment of how returning visitors affect COVID-19 curves within surrounding gateway communities. “We understand the economic 32
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importance that Glacier has to our gateway communities,” said park superintendent Jeff Mow. “Our goal is to gradually provide visitor access and to mitigate for and respond quickly to any new infections should they occur.” The park’s reopening priorities center on protecting the public and employees from transmission risks through a
variety of mitigation actions consistent with local, state, tribal and federal guidance. The park will actively monitor changing conditions (in the park and in surrounding counties) and will maintain flexibility to expand, adjust or contract operations as conditions warrant. The park has developed a range of mitigation actions that include: providing protective barriers where needed, encouraging the use of masks or facial coverings when social distancing cannot be maintained, increasing cleaning frequency of facilities, adding signage on boardwalks and other public spaces, and messaging to visitors through a variety of methods. On Monday, June 8 the west gate entrance was opened at West Glacier. The gate will be open until 4:30 p.m. each day until operations are extended. Visitors will be able to access Apgar and Going-to-the-Sun Road as far as Lake
