Paicines, CA – Pinnacles National Park is announcing additional modifications to operations to implement the latest guidance from the White House, Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC), and state authorities to promote social distancing. As of Friday, March 20, 2020 in compliance with CDC guidelines and state-wide health orders, the west side of the park located near Soledad, California will be closed.
Starting at 8 p.m. on Friday, March 20, all visitors must enter from the east side of the park by way of Highway 25, near Hollister, California. The West Pinnacles entrance gate will be shut, and there will be no vehicular access to that side of the park. National Park Rangers will be stationed at the east entrance to direct visitors and answer any questions. This is in addition to the closure of the High Peaks Steep and Narrow, Balconies Cave, Bear Gulch Cave, and suspension of shuttle services announced earlier this week.
While most restroom facilities will remain open, the restrooms at Scout Peak, Chalone Peak, and Peaks View will be closed. Park Rangers will be available to answer questions at tables outside and on trails, in accordance with social distancing protocols. The campground and the camp store will remain open and operating under local pubic health guidelines.
“The health and safety of our visitors, employees, volunteers, and partners at Pinnacles National Park is our number one priority. The National Park Service (NPS) is working with 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,” said Park Superintendent, Blanca Alvarez Stransky.
“We urge visitors to do their part when visiting Pinnacles by following the CDC guidance to prevent the spread of infectious diseases such as: 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. We encourage visitors to also follow the State of California “shelter-in-place orders,” added Stransky.
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 nationwide will be posted on www.nps.gov/coronavirus. Please check www.nps.gov/pinn for specific details about Pinnacles National Park operations.
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