News Release

Bathhouse at Serpentine Hot Springs Closed Due to Covid-19

Date: April 17, 2020
Contact: Katie Cullen, 907-443-6116

Nome, AK – Bering Land Bridge National Preserve, in response to guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the State of Alaska, is announcing additional modifications to operations to support federal, state, and local efforts to slow the spread of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19).  

As of April 16, 2020, the bathhouse at Serpentine Hot Springs in Bering Land Bridge National Preserve is closed. Due to the closure, the door to the bathhouse will be secured with a padlock.      

The closure is because of the following reasons:
 1) The park cannot properly maintain the facility to meet CDC recommended guidelines:

While proper operation, maintenance, and disinfection (with chlorine or bromine) should kill COVID-19 in hot tubs, spas, water playgrounds, and water parks, you should not use these facilities within local, state, or national parks at this time because:
•     They are often crowded and could easily exceed recommended guidance for gatherings.
•     It can be challenging to keep surfaces clean and disinfected.
•     The virus can spread when people touch surfaces and then touch their unwashed hands to their eyes, nose, or mouth.

 
2) Public health directives require social distancing to slow the spread of COVID-19. Allowing visitors at the bathhouse is likely to violate the requirement that persons stay at least 6 feet from each other. 

3) Public health directives prohibit gatherings of more than 10 people. Allowing individuals to mingle and gather within the park increases the risk of disease introduction and spread. Opening the bathhouse is likely to violate the requirement that no more than 10 persons gather together. 

This order is effective immediately and will remain in effect until further notice. The effectiveness of this order will be assessed on an ongoing basis, and the order will be modified or rescinded when conditions warrant.

The health and safety of our community and region is our number one priority. The National Park Service (NPS) is working servicewide with federal, state, and local authorities to closely monitor the COVID-19 pandemic.  Updates about NPS operations will be posted on www.nps.gov/coronavirus.  Please visit www.nps.gov/bela for specific details and regular updates on Bering Land Bridge operations. The NPS will notify the public when full operations resume via the park website, local radio, and social media channels.