Grand Canyon National Park
Key Messages – Week of February 8, 2021
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This week’s numbers at a glance:
- The average number of new cases per day in Arizona is 2,963, down from 4,893 on average per day last week.
- As of Thursday, the total number of cases in the 86023 zip code is since the pandemic began is 170. This number represents cases inside and outside the park.
- There are no reported new cases in the park this week and no reported cases in which the individuals are isolating.
- Since the pandemic began, we’ve had 42 total positive COVID-19 cases in the park. To date, and as reported, none of the positive cases resulted from interaction with park visitors.
- More detailed statistics are available on the Coconino County COVID-19 Dashboard.
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Navajo Nation Stay-at-Home Order Continues Through February 15
- The Navajo Nation extended its stay-at-home order on the entire reservation through February 15, 2021. This order eliminates previous weekend lockdowns, primarily to facilitate vaccine distribution.
- Grand Canyon has no restrictions for park residents to come or go between the park and the Navajo Nation.
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Reminder:
If you test positive or become ill, please report your situation to your supervisor and our NPS Public Health Consultant, Don Hoeschele, immediately.
This is to ensure proper public health protocols are followed, and that any exposure to the virus is minimized. For employees who need to quarantine because of COVID exposure, talk to your supervisor about options for leave categories if you can’t telework.
- Don Hoeschele, Commander, U.S. Public Health Service, Mobile: (928) 522-3095, Email: don_hoeschele@nps.gov
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This Week’s COVID-19 Vaccine Update
The majority of those identified in categories 1A and 1B priority groups have received their first doses of the COVID-19 vaccine. First doses are currently limited to those priority groups and those from the wait list when an extra dose becomes available.
The Grand Canyon community will not be able to expand our category coverage until other communities make more progress on vaccinating their 1A and 1B priority groups. We will continue to advocate for our community members, while recognizing that there is a need to vaccinate priority groups across the county at this time.
Clinic staff continue to administer second doses and do not anticipate any issues with that vaccine supply in the next couple of weeks. Because the vaccine is in short supply, when the Clinic contacts you to schedule your vaccination, make sure you reply promptly to ensure you get an appointment. We want to thank clinic staff for reaching out to community members in the Priority 1B category that requested an appointment to confirm that their request was received.
Please get the vaccine when it is available to you in order to protect yourself, your family and loved ones, and our community.
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Masks Save Lives!
In the coming months you might see these new signs as part of the messaging campaign for the new federal mask mandate. Masks not only protect you but also your loved ones and the Grand Canyon community from the spread of COVID-19.
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COVID-19 Testing Details
- Williams Testing Event-Friday, February 12.Between 9 a.m.-1 p.m. testing will be held in the Middle School parking lot. Pre-registration is highly recommended.
- The Grand Canyon Clinic has hours for COVID testing on Wednesdays from 11 a.m.-12 p.m. If you need a test outside of this hour, you need an order from your health care provider saying a test is warranted.
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Messages and Grand Canyon News
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Face Mask Regulation Update
The added section to the Compendium reads:
Protecting Visitors, Employees, Partners, and Others During a Pandemic: Individuals over the age of two years must wear masks, except when actively eating or drinking in the following locations:
- All common areas and shared workspaces in buildings owned, rented or leased by the National Park Service, including, but not limited to: park visitor centers, administrative offices, lodges, gift shops, and restaurants.
- The following outdoor areas, when others are present, where the superintendent has determined that physical distancing (staying at least six feet apart) cannot reasonably be maintained: Mather Point, Grand Canyon Visitor Center Plaza, all bus stops, Hopi Point, Rim trail from Verkamps to Bright Angel Trailhead, and all entrance stations. (the compendium incorrectly says Greenway trail from Verkamps to Bright Angel Trailhead, that will be corrected).
- Masks must cover the nose and mouth and fit snugly around the nose and chin with no large gaps around the sides of the face.
- Masks not designed to be protective, masks with ventilation valves, and face shields do not meet the requirement.
These mask requirements apply to all federal employees, volunteers, partners, contractors, and visitors in federal buildings and on federal lands administered by the NPS. We anticipate that we will need to provide additional updates to the Compendium to include other locations, including certain areas at Desert View and the North Rim.
Law Enforcement Officers (LEOs) will focus on educating visitors not wearing masks to gain compliance, but have the full range of enforcement options available if necessary.
Employees who are not LEOs should focus on educating visitors not wearing masks about the mask requirement. Non-LEOs do not have the authority to enforce the mask requirements, and should not order visitors to wear masks. If a visitor escalates the situation or engages in threatening behavior, an employee or community member should contact law enforcement for assistance.
Please remember that masks are not a substitute for physical distancing; even masked employees should maintain physical distancing from their colleagues and the public.
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Transcanyon Water Pipeline Update
Last week, NPS park staff and Denver Service Center staff met to review the inner canyon designs for the Transcanyon Water Pipeline replacement.
- A number of follow-up activities were identified to plan project specifics, including trail and campground closures.
- Construction in the inner canyon is planned to start in March 2023.
The progress on this large and critical infrastructure project is important to highlight, and I will share more as the project progresses.
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Temporary Water Interruption Notification, February 11-12
Water service will be interrupted to all of the South Rim Village Area on Thursday, February 11. The duration of shut off will be between the hours of 9 p.m. Thursday, February 11 until approximately 5 a.m. on Friday, February 12. Water Utilities anticipates the shut off to last approximately eight hours.
This shut off is necessary to allow for the installation of the a new water meter at the South Rim Tank Farm. This installation will help the National Park Service to better analyze and assess water usage on the South Rim. Please contact NPS Civil Engineer, Brenna White at (928) 638-7906 with any questions.
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Indian Garden Prescribed Pile Burn Recap
Last week, fire managers initiated pile burning at the Indian Garden campground and surrounding the Indian Garden pumphouse. Overall there was a 90% consumption rate for all the wood debris piles. A follow-up project is being planned to fully complete pile burning as weather conditions allow.
Grand Canyon fire managers anticipate early spring pile burning along the Highway 64 corridor on the South Rim as well as at Lindbergh Hill on the North Rim. The public affairs office will keep employees and community members updated before these projects occur.
We would like to send out a big thank you to Fire Management Officer Luke Minton for speaking about fire management at our employee calls this week. Thanks, Luke.
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NPS Employees – Call for Submissions!
Arrowhead and Shoulders Above Awards
Any staff member can nominate another employee, or a workgroup of up to five employees. Nominations should be for exceptional performance or contributions to the park in one of the following categories, within the past six months:
- Environmental Sustainability
- Teamwork Across the Park
- Safety
- Creativity and Innovation
- Functional Leadership
- Efficiency
- Resource Stewardship
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Current Operational Updates
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Desert View Updates & Accessibility
From Ed Keable, Superintendent
Last week, Deputy Superintendent, Louis Rowe and I visited Desert View for a community town hall meeting. At this meeting Desert View staff raised a number of concerns that need addressing. We truly appreciate input from park staff who live and work in the Desert View area, and we look forward to problem-solving current and future challenges. Expect updates as we make additional progress on management priorities affecting the operation at Desert View.
- The East entrance gate remains closed to incoming or outgoing visitation.
- Desert View is currently accessible to visitors. Areas include the parking lot, paved trails, and the overlook.
- All facilities remain closed, including all facilities operated by NPS, Grand Canyon Conservancy, and Delaware North.
- There are no gas services at Desert View, so if you travel that way make sure you have enough fuel.
- Tusayan Ruins remains closed.
- Park residents are allowed to continue to come and go through the secured gate outside of the entrance stations. If there is an issue with the combination lock at the gate, please contact dispatch immediately.
The following park closures remain in place:
- East Entrance gate
- Desert View services
- All residential areas
- South Rim Visitor Center and Headquarters
- South Rim Backcountry Information Center
- Verkamps Visitor Center (scheduled to reopen on 2/13)
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Have questions for our weekly employee, stakeholder, or community calls?
Please fill out the form below and help us get your questions answered.
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