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From: tom@dw
Date: 5/15/2020
Time: 10:09:29 AM
HARKERS ISLAND, NC –In an effort to staying healthy while following guidance from the White House, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and state and Carteret County public health authorities, Cape Lookout National Seashore is increasing recreational access on May 18. North Core, South Core, and Shackleford beaches remain open. The National Park Service (NPS) is working service-wide with federal, state, and local public health authorities to closely monitor the COVID-19 pandemic and using a phased approach to increase access on a park-by-park basis.
As of today, May 15, the park reopens access to:
• Restrooms, including the Shackleford Banks Dock restroom, the Light Station Visitor Center restroom (near the Lighthouse), the Lighthouse Pedestrian Beach restroom, the Cape Point restroom, the Great Island Bath House, the Longpoint Bath House, the Portsmouth Salter House restroom, and the Harkers Island Shell Point restrooms are open.
• Limited passenger ferry service provided by the park’s authorized concessioner, Island Express Ferry Service LLC. (www.islandexpressferryservices.com, 252-728-7433). Ferry service will meet USCG recommendations, and CDC social distancing recommendations by limiting passenger capacity to 50% of actual vessel capacity, requiring crew and passengers to wear masks, and by cleaning of common touch areas after each trip. It is recognized that family groups may not maintain social distancing. Ticket Booths and staging areas will be marked with social distancing signage and tapped with 6’ spacing markers on the ground.
Beginning May 18, the park reopens access to:
• Great Island Cabin Camp, which will reopen under specific cleaning protocols. Go to www.recreation.gov for reservations.
While these areas are accessible for visitors to enjoy, a return to full operations will continue to be phased and services may be limited. When recreating, the public should follow local area health orders, practice Leave No Trace principles, avoid crowding and avoid high-risk outdoor activities.
With public health in mind, the following facilities and activities remain closed:
• Harkers Island Visitor Center and Bookstore, Beaufort Visitor Information Center, Light Station Visitor Center and Bookstore, and the Keepers’ Quarters Museum.
• Cape Lookout Lighthouse Public Climbing
• In-person Interpretive Programming
The health and safety of our visitors, employees, volunteers, and partners continues to be paramount. At Cape Lookout National Seashore, our operational approach will be to examine each facility function and service provided to ensure those operations comply with current public health guidance and will be regularly monitored. We continue to work closely with the NPS Office of Public Health using CDC guidance to ensure public and workspaces are safe and clean for visitors, employees, partners, and volunteers.
The CDC has offered guidance to help people recreating in parks and open spaces prevent the spread of infectious diseases. We will continue to monitor all park functions to ensure that visitors adhere to CDC guidance for mitigating risks associated with the transmission of COVID-19 and take any additional steps necessary to protect public health.
Details and updates on park operations will continue to be posted on our website (www.nps.gov/calo) and social media channels.
See full release at link below:
Check this Link:
http://drumwagon.com/nps/20_0515_CALO_Reopen_Phase_I.pdf