Abraham Lincoln Birthplace National Historical Park to Increase Visitor Access to the Birthplace Visitor Center

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Hodgenville, KY - Following guidance from the White House, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and state and local public health authorities, the Abraham Lincoln Birthplace is increasing visitor access and services. 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.

Beginning June 8, 2020, the Abraham Lincoln Birthplace will reopen access to:

• The Birthplace Visitor Center, open daily 9 am to 5 pm (EST)

With public health in mind, the following facilities remain closed at this time:

• The Birthplace Visitor Center Bookstore
• The Memorial Building
• In-person, Ranger-led Interpretive Programs

"The health and safety of our visitors, employees, volunteers, and partners continues to be paramount. At the Abraham Lincoln Birthplace, 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," said Catherine Bragaw, park Superintendent.

While these areas are accessible for visitors to enjoy, a return to full operations will continue to be phased and service 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.

The CDC has offered guidance to help people recreating in parks and open spaces prevent the spread of infectious diseases. Park managers will continue to monitor all park functions to ensure that visitors adhere to CDC guidance for mitigating risk 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 the park's website at: www.nps.gov/abli and social media channels. Updates about NPS operations will be posted on www.nps.gov/coronavirus.

www.nps.gov/abli

About the National Park Service. More than 20,000 National Park Service employees care for America's 419 national parks and work with communities across the nation to help preserve local history and create close-to-home recreational opportunities. Learn more at www.nps.gov, and on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube.