News Release

Fee collection resumes at Trunk Bay

Date: September 25, 2020
Contact: Dave Worthington

St John, US Virgin Islands – Following guidance from the White House, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and state and local public health authorities, and in accordance with the Governor’s Executive Order lifting previous restrictions beginning September 19, 2020, Virgin Islands National Park is resuming services in the park. The National Park Service (NPS) is working servicewide 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 September 27^th, 2020, Virgin Islands National Park will resume the following services:

• Fee collection at Trunk Bay will resume on September 27^th. Fees will be collected 7-days a week from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm.
• Food service and watersports rentals at Trunk Bay will continue.
• Trash collection will continue, and restrooms and showers are open from 8:00 am to 3:00 pm at Trunk Bay. Restrooms at the Cruz Bay Visitor Center will remain open from 8:00 am to 3:00 pm.

In addition, the following spaces continue to be available: Outdoor spaces, including park trails, beaches, and waters remain accessible to the public in accordance with the latest federal, state, and local health guidance. Moorings remain open; fees may be placed in the 'iron ranger' canisters at park bays or next to the flagpole at the Cruz Bay Visitor Center. The waters of Virgin Islands Coral Reef National Monument remain open. Law enforcement staff are on duty and may be reached at 1-866-995-8467. With public health in mind, the following facilities and services remain closed:

• The Cruz Bay Visitor Center
• Guided hikes and other on-site public or educational programs.

Although the Visitor Center is closed, rangers are available via phone to answer questions about how to enjoy the park. Call 340-626-2806 Monday through Friday from 8:00 am to 4:30 pm.

The health and safety of our visitors, employees, volunteers, and partners continues to be paramount. At Virgin Islands National Park, our operational approach continues to be centered on examining 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 areas and workspaces are safe and clean for visitors, employees, partners, and volunteers.

A safe and enjoyable park experience begins at home. The NPS encourages visitors to plan their visit by checking the park’s website and social media for current conditions and travel tips. The CDC has offered guidance to help people recreating in parks and open spaces prevent the spread of infectious diseases. We ask the public to be our partner in recreating responsibly, by following CDC and state and local guidance, social distancing, and wearing a face covering when social distance cannot be maintained. Details and updates on park operations will continue to be posted on our website (www.nps.gov/viis) and social media channels. Updates about NPS operations will be posted on www.nps.gov/coronavirus.www.nps.gov

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.