Great Basin National Park closed amid coronavirus concerns

ELKO, Nev. – The Great Basin National Park has been closed to all park visitors in response to guidance from county health officials in Nevada amid the coronavirus pandemic.

The National Park Service made the announcement Monday after White Pine County public health officials encouraged park officials to take action to combat the spread of the coronavirus, the Elko Daily Free Press reported.

“The health and safety of our visitors, employees, volunteers, and partners is our number one priority,” the statement said. “The National Park Service is working servicewide with federal, state, and local authorities to closely monitor the COVID-19 pandemic.”

For most people, the coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms, such as fever and cough that clear up in two to three weeks. For some, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, it can cause more severe illness, including pneumonia and death. The vast majority of people recover.

The Nevada park spans more than 120,500 square miles (312,135 square kilometres) and is known for its ancient bristlecone pine grove and the Lehman caves. The park’s highest elevation is 13,063 feet (3,981 metres) at Wheeler Peak.

Park officials are expected to notify the public when operations resume. Visitors have been encouraged to explore the park through digital tools already made available online until the park reopens.