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Yellowstone, Grand Teton National Parks Close Over Coronavirus Concerns

Yellowstone visitors line up at the park's north entrance outside of Gardiner, Montana.
Yellowstone National Park (PD)
Yellowstone visitors line up at the park's north entrance outside of Gardiner, Montana.

Yellowstone and Grand Teton national parks announced Tuesday they’re closing to all visitors, effective immediately.

The closure comes days after area county health officials and Montana and Wyoming’s governors called for the parks to close to limit the spread of the novel coronavirus.

The closures follow a weekend that saw heavy visitation despite the concern of spreading coronavirus through social contact.

No visitors will be allowed access to either park, though highways and roads along park and state boundaries will remain open. Park facilities that support life-safety and commerce will also stay open.

On Mar. 21, Glacier National Park closed its bookstore and visitor centers under similar recommendations. Park restrooms, water stations and information phone lines are still available. In-person staff services have been suspended.

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Eric Young