Mask Requirement

United States
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
National Park Service
OZARK NATIONAL SCENIC RIVERWAYS
COMPENDIUM AMENDMENT: 36 CFR 1.5

Designations, Closures, Permit Requirements and other Restrictions Imposed Under the Discretionary Authority ofthe Superintendent ...Title 36, Code of Federal Regulations, Chapter 1.

AUTHORITY

Under the authority of 16 U.S.C. Section 3, and Title 36, Code ofFederal Regulations, Chapter 1, Parts 1-7, this Compendium of Superintendent's Orders is established for Ozark National Scenic Riverways. Regulations listed in this compendium are a requirement in addition to those listed in Parts 1-7 ofTitle 36 unless otherwise noted. The specific authority for this regulatory procedure is found in Sections 1.5, 1.6 and 1.7 ofTitle 36.

In accordance with the President's Executive Order (EO), Ozark National Scenic Riverways is implementing mask-wearing restrictions to help reduce the spread of COVID-19. This restriction will be in effect until further notice.

PART 1 -General Provisions

Section 1.5(a)(2) Restrictions on a Use or Activity:

Effective immediately, the following restrictions are imposed on activities within park areas for the maintenance of public health and safety during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Individuals over the age oftwo years must wear masks, except when actively eating or drinking, in the following locations:

1. All common areas and shared workspaces in buildings owned, rented or leased by the National Park Service, including, but not limited to, park visitor contact stations, administrative offices, maintenance facilities, concession facilities and all park restrooms.

2. The following outdoor areas, when others are present, where the superintendent has determined that physical distancing (staying at least six feet apart) cannot reasonably be maintained:

• outdoor areas adjacent to visitor contact stations,
• parking lots and common areas in campgrounds,
• crowded trails, viewpoints, and other areas ofinterest,
• events and programs with groups of people,
• covered structures that attract crowds such a weddings and open-air pavilions.

Masks must cover the nose and mouth and fit snugly around the nose and chin with no large gaps around the sides ofthe face. Masks not designed to be protective, masks with ventilation valves, and face shields do not meet the requirement.

This restriction applies to NPS employees, volunteers, partners and contractors and all park visitors.

Determination:

On January 20, 2021, the President signed Executive Order 13991, Protecting the Federal Workforce and Requiring Mask-Wearing (E.O. 13991). As stated in E.O. 13991, it is the policy of the Administration to halt the spread of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) by relying on the best available data and science-based public health measures. Such measures include wearing masks when around others, physical distancing, and other related precautions recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

On January 24, 2021, the Office of Management and Budget issued M-21-15, COVID-19 Safe Federal Workplace: Agency Model Safety Principles to provide guidance to federal agencies on implementing E.O. 13991. M-21-15 contains model safety principles that apply CDC guidelines related to mask-wearing and physical distancing to the federal workplace and are designed to be used by federal agencies as a starting point for updating their COVID-19 workplace safety plans. The guidance for superintendents in this Memorandum draws upon these principles to help ensure that visitors to the National Park System do not threaten the health and safety ofNPS employees, volunteers, partners and contractors, or other park visitors.

On January 29, 2021, the Acting Secretary ofthe Interior issued a memorandum entitled Protecting Our Workforce by Requiring Mask-Wearing. This memorandum reaffirmed the Administration's commitment to an urgent, robust, and professional response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The Memorandum requires all onsite employees, contractors, and volunteers to wear a mask or face covering at all times while in Department buildings or on federal public lands when physical distancing of 6 feet or more is not possible.