Grand Canyon Weekly Wrap-up — Jan. 17-21, 2022

COVID News

NPS Mask Policy reminders

The current National Park Service mask policy, which follows the CDC recommendation is that everyone wear a mask that is over the age of two, regardless of vaccination status in the following settings:

What qualifies as a mask according to the NPS and CDC are masks that have two or more layers of washable, breathable fabric, completely cover your nose and mouth, fit snugly against the sides of your face and don’t have gaps, and have a nose wire to prevent air from leaking out of the top of the mask. For the latest information on types of masks and respirators, please visit the CDC’s website here.

NPS Employee N95 Update

Our colleagues in the Facilities and Maintenance Division have kept PPE and other COVID-related equipment and supplies for park employees since the beginning of the pandemic. They have made available at the park warehouse K95 respirators and surgical masks for all staff. We request that all employees work with their supervisor(s) to obtain these masks and respirators. To help control the distribution process, at this time supervisors are the only employees authorized to pick up masks or respirators from the warehouse.

For those employees that wish to utilize a KN95 respirator, or any other respirator type, such as a N100, N95, or NF94, while you are on duty, you will need to read the OSHA 1910.134 Appendix D, which your supervisor will provide. You will also need to sign a “Voluntary Respirator Program” agreement with your supervisor. The reason for this is the N95, N100, KN95, and KF94s masks are all considered respirators by the CDC and OSHA, and OSHA regulations require the NPS to inform you of when and where you can use the respirators safely. Your supervisor will keep the signed “Voluntary Respirator Program” agreement on file so that we can prove to OSHA that we have complied with their requirements.

Clinic Booster Event-January 29

The Clinic will be having its next adult vaccine booster event on Saturday, January 29. Individuals should call the clinic directly to schedule.

The clinic is still providing first and second doses to individuals, and the next scheduled event for first and second doses will be held on January 20.

The complete flyer for this event can be found here.

COVID Testing at the Clinic and Flagstaff

As a reminder, the clinic continues to offer COVID-19 testing Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, by appointment only. On Mondays and Fridays, testing occurs at 2 p.m. and on Wednesdays at 11 a.m. The number of slots is limited each day based on clinic staffing and patient load, so please call ahead to schedule. Current projections for testing wait times are currently 5-7 days from the time the clinic receives the sample.

If you are in Flagstaff, there are multiple sites in town where you can get a COVID test. For most of the testing sites, results are available within 48 hours and can be used for proof of a negative test for travel purposes.

Northern Arizona Healthcare has partnered with Premier Lab Solutions to offer expanded COVID-19 testing in Flagstaff. The new mobile testing site is located at Elk’s Lodge #499 on N. San Francisco Street. It will be open to the public starting on Tuesday, January 18. The hours of operation will be Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. and members of the public may drive up without an appointment during testing times.

Arizona and Grand Canyon Community Statistics

Case numbers in Arizona increased this week to 18,631 new cases per day compared to last week’s average of 13,395 per day. That is the highest weekly seven day rolling average we have had since the pandemic started.

As of Tuesday, there have been a total of 342 cases in the 86023 zip code since the beginning of the pandemic (38 new cases reported since last week). Of these, approximately 131 cases are in the park (18 new cases reported since last week).

Coconino County reports the Grand Canyon community is 72.1% fully vaccinated as of January 14.

Public Health Contacts

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

Shuttle bus operations will remain unpredictable

Shuttle bus operations are currently back to normal. However, operations could be affected over the next few weeks due to unforeseen staffing shortages. As a result, visitors may experience longer wait times between shuttle buses.

Please remain flexible with all businesses during this time, as many staff are out sick or caring for sick family members due to the omicron variant.

Reminder: Chase Bank Closure February 8

As a reminder, Chase Bank will be closing its doors at the Grand Canyon branch on February 8.

A walk-up ATM will remain at the current location. This ATM allows customers to conduct more than 70 percent of routine banking transactions. Having a community bank is an important consideration for residents of the park and the Town of Tusayan. Losing this service will be a minor inconvenience to some and a major inconvenience to others.

Being cognizant of this inconvenience, park management will continue to explore other options both in the Park or perhaps in Tusayan.

GCC announces next Artist in Residence

Daniele Genadry will be the next Artist in Residence at Grand Canyon National Park.

Genadry will live and work at the South Rim from February 10-April 1.

She works with various media to examine how distance, light, and movement affect visual experiences. “The capacity of Grand Canyon to hold our attention, and engage our bodies, minds, and eyes in a conscious and sustained act of looking at and being in (nature), is something that fascinates me,” said Genadry. “The question of scale, as well as how mediated imagery—photographs, virtual tours and videos—can enhance or affect the experience of the place, are things I plan to examine while in residency at the canyon.” Stay tuned for more information on public offerings Daniele will be presenting during her residency here at the park!

Kolb Studio exhibit to change January 25

After a successful four-month run, the 2021 Celebration of Art exhibition has concluded. Starting on Tuesday, January 25, ‘The Amazing Kolb Brothers: A Grand Life at Grand Canyon’, returns to Kolb Studio.  The exhibit tells the story of pioneer photographers Emery and Ellsworth Kolb who helped turn the Grand Canyon into a national icon.

Learn the story of their 1911 Colorado River trip, and how they established a photography business, theater, and gift shop here that endured from 1903 until 1975.

Have community news to share?

Email grca_public_affairs@nps.gov to submit!

Please note, no new operational changes this week.

South Rim

Lodging occupancy in the park is expected to be at or near capacity. Our concessioners are expecting a busy season ahead!

Xanterra

Delaware North

Other

Desert View

The following park closures remain in place:

Please visit the Grand Canyon National Park website for a complete list of closures and available amenities.

Photo Credits (in order of appearance)