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Contact: Ernie Price, 505-285-4641 ext. 18
For Immediate Release
April 13, 2020
Contact: Ernie Price, 505-285-4641 ext. 18, e-mail us
Grants, NM - The National Park Service (NPS) at El Malpais National Monument (NM) is announcing additional modifications to operations to implement the latest guidance from the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC), local, and state authorities to slow the spread of COVID-19. Beginning April 14, the El Malpais NM Visitor Center, Sandstone Bluffs Overlook, caves, and all restrooms will be closed until further notice.
Park officials have noticed crowds exceeding the allowable numbers at these locations increasing the risk of exposure to COVID-19 and spread of the virus. Exploring caves at this time also presents potential risks to visitors and wildlife. Navigation through lava tube caves requires constant contact by visitors with rock surfaces when crawling or climbing and the use of the caves may increase the risk for exposure to COVID-19. It is undetermined how long COVID-19 may remain on the surface of rock features in caves, as they are cold, moist, and have no exposure to outside light. The cave atmosphere is often static, and has limited air movement, this creates some uncertainty as to the length of time that COVID-19 may remain in the cave atmosphere once aerosolized.
Additionally, the restrooms at trailheads and at the El Malpais National Monument Visitor Center will be closed not only to support restrictions on public gatherings, but to protect the health of park staff responsible for maintaining and cleaning these locations. The health and safety of our visitors, employees, volunteers, and partners are the number one priority. The NPS is working with the federal, state, and local authorities to closely monitor the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) situation. The NPS will notify the public when operations resume and provide updates in future press releases, on our website, and Facebook.
The NPS encourages people to take advantage of the many digital tools already available to explore El Malpais NM, including the recently updated and expanded photo gallery found at: https://www.nps.gov/elma/learn/photosmultimedia/photogallery.htm.
Updates about NPS operations will be posted on www.nps.gov/coronavirus. Please visit us online at www.nps.gov/elma on Facebook or call 505-285-4641 ext. 18 with specific questions.
Last updated: April 13, 2020