W22 MONO -VRP
Closure Order #20-001
March 30, 2020
Closures, restrictions and public use limits:
Closure Order – Portion of a Park Area: Under the authority provided to the Superintendent in 36 CFR §1.5, the follow park areas and facilities are closed, effective immediately, until further notice:
- Park Visitor Center, located at 5201 Urbana Pike, Frederick MD 21704
Authority: 36 CFR §1.5(a)(1)
Restrictions and Public Use Limits: Under the authority provided to the Superintendent in 36 CFR §1.5, the following restrictions are in place within Monocacy National Battlefield, effective immediately, until further notice:
- Gatherings of more than 10 people in close proximity, i.e. not following Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidance, are prohibited.
- Previously scheduled interpretive programming events are canceled.
Authority: 36 CFR §1.5(a)(1)-(2)
Notice: This administrative order applies to all individuals subject to the regulatory authority of the National Park Service (NPS) within the boundaries of Monocacy National Battlefield, including park visitors, government employees, concession employees, park residents and stakeholders.
Finding: The NPS issues this administrative order for the purposes of maintaining public health and safety during the COVID-19 pandemic emergency. This order is consistent with public health directives and orders from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Governor of the State of Maryland:
These directives require the NPS to take the actions identified above because:
- The NPS continues to work through the United States Public Health Service to align its safety and health guidelines with those of the CDC and the state and local jurisdictions in which park units are located. This includes aligning guidelines and recommendations for occupancy of public buildings, large gatherings, public events, recreational activities, and social distancing.
- Public health directives require social distancing to slow the spread of COVID-19. Allowing visitors to access the Visitor Center, and its museum exhibits, bookstore, and restrooms, would likely violate social distancing recommendations identified above.
- Public health directives prohibit gatherings of more than 10 people. Allowing individuals to mingle and gather in large groups within the park increases the risk of disease introduction and spread. Continuing with previously scheduled park interpretive programming would likely violate the requirement that no more than 10 persons gather together and would possibly violate social distancing recommendations.
- Public health directives identify appropriate outdoor exercise activities, such as walking, hiking, and running, if social distancing recommendations are followed.
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 will be modified or removed when conditions warrant.
Approval: /s/ Andrew Banasik
Acting Superintendent
March 30, 2020
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