Denali National Park Reinstates Mask Mandate

Denali National Park reinstated mask mandates in all indoor spaces including buses on July 8th, 2022. The decision comes after COVID-19 cases are spreading rapidly and the Community Level for the surrounding area were raised to HIGH status.

Here’s more details according to a press released published by the park over the weekend:

“This decision has been made based upon Department of Interior policy which requires federal agencies to institute mask mandates within federal buildings when the COVID-19 community level reaches HIGH in the surrounding area, per CDC guidance. This week, the COVID-19 Community Level was reported as HIGH for both the Denali Borough and the Matanuska-Susitna Borough based on data provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.”

The release does not indicate how long the mask mandates will stay in place, but here’s hoping that this will only be a short-term mandate and that COVID-19 transmission levels will subside in the coming weeks.

Keep reading for the full details from Denali National Park:

Denali to Require Masks as of July 8, 2022

Denali Park, AK – Beginning Friday, July 8, Denali National Park and Preserve will be requiring all individuals, regardless of vaccination status, to wear masks while inside any federal building within the park or while riding a park bus, except in the Walter Harper Ranger Station in Talkeetna. This decision has been made based upon Department of Interior policy which requires federal agencies to institute mask mandates within federal buildings when the COVID-19 community level reaches HIGH in the surrounding area, per CDC guidance. This week, the COVID-19 Community Level was reported as HIGH for both the Denali Borough and the Matanuska-Susitna Borough based on data provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

During this time, all individuals over the age of two must wear masks, regardless of vaccination status, in all common areas and shared workspaces in buildings owned, leased, or otherwise controlled by the National Park Service, including, but not limited to, park visitor centers, administrative offices, lodges, gift shops, and restaurants. This policy also applies to all park buses operated by the park concessionaire, Doyon/Aramark Joint Venture, and includes all park courtesy shuttles, as well as the transit and tour buses.

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

Park information is available on the web at nps.gov/dena or by calling 907-683-9532, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Stay connected with “DenaliNPS” on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, and Flickr. Or download the free NPS app in the Apple App Store or Google Play Store.