Grand Canyon National Park
Key Messages – Week of May 31, 2021
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This week’s numbers at a glance:
- Across the country, we’ve seen a decline in COVID cases, hospital admissions and deaths this past week.
- Approximately, 39.3 % of all Arizonians are fully vaccinated; 43.4% of Coconino County residents are fully vaccinated and 60% of Navajo Nation residents are fully vaccinated.
- Since the pandemic began, we’ve had 47 total positive COVID-19 cases in the park. To date, and as reported, none of the positive cases resulted from interaction with park visitors.
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Navajo Nation Information
- Wearing a mask in public is mandatory.
- The Navajo Nation is currently in a Shelter in Place order, which includes daily curfew hours from 11:00 P.M. MDT to 5:00 A.M. MDT.
- Specific guidance for the Navajo Nation can be found on the Navajo Nation website.
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Public Health Contacts
If you test positive for COVID-19, immediately inform your supervisor and our NPS Public Health Consultant. This is to ensure proper public health protocols are followed and that any exposure is minimized.
- Ronan King, Lieutenant Commander, U.S. Public Health Service
- Mobile: (202) 891-8599
- Email: ronan_king@nps.gov
- For all email correspondence, please also cc: Chris Glime, Captain, U.S. Public Health Service
- Mobile: (202)641-3518
- Email: christen_glime@nps.gov
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Updated Transportation Guidance for Physical Distancing
Grand Canyon National Park is working with U.S. Public Health and Paul Revere Transportation on a phased approach to increasing capacity on the park shuttle buses. This past weekend, buses began to increase capacity from 20 to 31 passengers. Expect to see additional capacity increases over the next few weeks as we work out the mechanics of increased capacities.
Passengers traveling on the Grand Canyon shuttle system are still required to wear face coverings and enter and exit through the rear doors of the shuttles buses. As always, passengers should follow instructions from the drivers before entering and exiting shuttle buses.
NEW NPS Supervisory Guidance
New vaccination guidance for supervisors was issued on May 13 and updated last week. If you are a supervisor, please read the updated Frequently Asked Questions so you can have a better understanding of what questions can and cannot be asked regarding employee vaccination status.
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Local COVID-19 Vaccine Information
The Grand Canyon Clinic will continue administering Moderna vaccines on Thursdays, based on demand.
However, due to the need to schedule vaccinations in blocks of 10, there may be times when people will need to be put on a waitlist as the clinic determines if there is sufficient demand to allow a full schedule. To schedule a vaccine appointment at the Grand Canyon clinic, call the clinic directly at 928-638-2551.
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Coconino County Vaccine Finder Tool
All residents of Coconino County 12 years and older are eligible to receive the COVID-19 vaccine. There are vaccination locations around Coconino County, some serving those 16 and older, others serving those 18 and older.
Visit the County’s ‘Vaccine Availability’ map for locating the nearest vaccine to your geographic area and get more details on special pop up events.
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COVID-19 Testing Details
- The Grand Canyon Clinic has testing available Monday-Wednesday.
- In Flagstaff, COVID testing is available at Coconino Community College at 2800 South Lone Tree Road, the NAU Fieldhouse at 1050 Knoles Drive and many other locations around town.
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Messages and Grand Canyon News
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CUA, Concessions & Partner Changes this Week
- Commercial Use Authorization (CUA) holders may now operate at 100% capacity. Previous guidance requiring capacity limits are no longer in effect. Masks or facial coverings are still required in all commercial vehicles. More information on this recent change can be found on this park website.
- Xanterra mule rides will resume coming up from Phantom Ranch using the South Kaibab Trail starting Thursday, June 3. Staff and visitors may notice an increase in stock trailer traffic due to this change.
- Xanterra Taxi Service will resume service on Thursday, June 3.
- Grand Canyon Conservancy will have modified hours in the following locations, effective June 6-19:
- Yavapai Geology Museum, daily 9 a.m. – 7 p.m.
- North Rim Visitor Center, daily 8 a.m. – 6 p.m.
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VRP Operations: Memorial Day Weekend Report
Rangers were busy this past Memorial Day Weekend with a high volume of calls for Search and Rescue (SAR), Emergency Medical Services, and Law Enforcement incidents.
Many thanks to those who assisted in responding to these calls for service! Photo right: EMS, SAR, and LE personnel use a Sked Stretcher to lift a patient who fell near Mather Point over the weekend. A Sked Stretcher is used in areas that require high angle and/or technical rescue.
Below is a recap from calls received from the Division of Visitor and Resource Protection (VRP):
Dispatch
Grand Canyon Regional Communication Center handled just under 200 calls for service.
Preventive Search and Rescue (PSAR)
Staff at Grand Canyon delivered preventative search and rescue messaging to nearly 6,000 visitors on the trails and conducted 20 hiker assists.
SAR
Staff responded to 14 Search and Rescue incidents, including 12 helicopter evacuations and 2 litter evacuations.
EMS
Staff responded to 28 EMS calls (excluding SAR incidents).
Law Enforcement
Staff responded to 14 significant law enforcement incidents. Notable events included two rollover motor vehicle crashes with injuries, and multiple arrests for DUI, assault, and drug and alcohol offenses.
To read the complete South Rim District Report for the weekend visit here:
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Virtual Star Party Kicks Off Friday, June 5
The 31st annual Grand Canyon Star Party will be held virtually June 5-12. The park will bring the wonders of the night sky into the virtual realm through a series of live video premieres on Grand Canyon’s official Facebook page. The weeklong Star Party Speaker Series will feature nine special guest speakers. This year, the event is focusing on the cultural astronomy of the Grand Canyon region, with speakers representing some of the 11 traditionally associated tribes of Grand Canyon. Online followers will learn cultural astronomical perspectives from representatives of the Paiute Indian Tribes of Utah, Diné (Navajo Nation), Hopi Tribe, and the Pueblo of Zuni. Additional talks will focus on the archaeo-astronomy of the ancestral Puebloan peoples of the Grand Canyon region.
As the Virtual Star Party begins, visitors and residents of Grand Canyon may be looking to our dark skies to glimpse night sky objects. However, folks may catch something new and unexpected: dozens of apparent stars lined up in a long row, shinning brighter than most everything else. These bright beacons are satellites. Star Link, a new satellite internet service being launched by Elon Musk, is in its beginning stages, and the satellites sync up before beginning their own orbits around Earth.
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Grand Canyon Food Pantry begins Desert View Delivery June 10
In an effort to increase food security throughout the Grand Canyon community, beginning Thursday, June 10, the Grand Canyon Food Pantry will begin weekly deliveries to Desert View. Deliveries will occur every second Thursday of the month at approximately 5 p.m. Residents can meet the Grand Canyon Food Pantry white van near the cell tower on Cedar Mountain Rd. Specific food requests can be sent to: gcfoodpantryinc@gmail.com
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Congratulations, Class of 2021!
Senior graduation and 8th grade promotion will be held on the Grand Canyon School soccer field Friday, June 4 at 6 p.m. (invitation only). The ceremony will be held outdoors where students will drive around the track and walk to the center of the field to receive their diplomas. For those unable to attend, the school will also live stream the event.
A celebratory parade for the 2021 Senior Class will route through the Grand Canyon Village residential areas prior to the ceremony. The route will begin at Shuttle Bus Road and end at the Grand Canyon School.
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School’s Out for the Summer!
The official last day for the Grand Canyon Unified School District is Thursday, June 3, however, summer school will be held in-person from June 7-21. The hours for summer school will be Monday-Thursday from 7:50 a.m.-2 p.m. each day.
As a reminder, there will still be children traveling to and from the school during this period and many more children out and about in residential areas during the summer days ahead. Please drive slowly through streets adjacent to the school, including: Albright Avenue, Boulder Street, Coconino Street, and Center Road. As always, drive below the speed limit in residential areas and help keep our children and community safe.
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When emergencies happen, be the first to know!
With fire season here, new employees and residents of Grand Canyon should register with the Coconino County Emergency Notification System. This system uses alerts powered by Rave Mobile Safety’s Smart911 to send official, real-time alerts to the public with information about potentially life-saving actions you may need to take to keep you and your family safe. Emergency alerts are sent through Grand Canyon Dispatch and the user can receive alerts by phone call, text, or email when there is an immediate threat to life and/or property. These include natural hazards (wildfire, flooding, etc.) and man-made hazards (violent crimes in progress, major accidents, missing persons, etc.).
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Current Operational Hours
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South Rim
- Maswik Lodge Cafeteria: 7 a.m.-8 p.m.
- Bright Angel Fountain and Coffee House, 7-10 a.m.
- Canyon Village Deli, 7 a.m.-2 p.m.
- Yavapai Lodge Tavern and Patio, 12-9 p.m.
- Yavapai Lodge Coffee Shop, 6 a.m.-1 p.m.
- Canyon Village Market, 7 a.m.-8 p.m., Deli-8 a.m.-8 p.m.
- Bright Angel Bikes, Rentals: 10 a.m.-4 p.m., Cafe: 8 a.m.-6 p.m.
Desert View
- Desert View Watchtower retail store (Kiva Room) open Friday-Monday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m., *only the ground level is open to the public; the tower itself remains closed until further notice
- Desert View Trading Post Coffee and Ice Cream and Market, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. daily
- Desert View Campground is open. Reservations can be made via www.recreation.gov.
North Rim
- Roaring Springs Overlook Kiosk, staffed from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. daily
- North Rim Lodge dining, 4:30-9:30 p.m. daily
- Deli in the Pines, 5 a.m.-9 p.m. daily
- Rough Rider Saloon, 11 a.m.-11 p.m. daily
The following park closures remain in place:
- All residential areas
- South Rim Visitor Center (indoors), information table staffed 8 a.m.- 5 p.m. daily
- Headquarters Information Desk
- Kolb Studio
- RV and Camper Services
- Yavapai Lodge Restaurant
- Grand Canyon Kennel
- Maswik Pizza Pub, Arizona Steak House, and Fred Harvey Burger
- Xanterra bus tours (suspended)
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