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Masking requirements now optional at Grand Canyon

GRAND CANYON, Ariz. — With community level transmissions now at medium, Grand Canyon National Park has announced that masking requirement are now optional.

On Aug. 4, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) updated the Coconino County Community Level to medium.

“Masks are no longer required in either indoor or outdoor locations, both for the public and federal employees while the local community level remains in either low or medium,” the park announced. “Please note that this standard is flexible depending on conditions in Coconino County. It is possible that we may return to a mask requirement under this guidance if conditions in Coconino County returns to a high community level. We all need to be prepared to be flexible under this new system.”

Visitors and employees have the option to wear a mask if it makes them more comfortable, according to the park.

“We will keep employees, our stakeholders, and the public informed of any new developments as soon as they become available,” the park stated.

Arizona and Grand Canyon community statistics

According to GCNP, there were at least 15 new cases reported in the park last week. This week’s new cases bring the park total to an estimated 344 cases, and 443 cases for the 86023 zip code, since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic.

County and CDC COVID reporting – why the difference?

Community Level statistics used by GCNP is not always the same as statistics reported by Coconino County. Grand Canyon National Park is required to follow CDC community levels and guidance rather than local county data.

The data used to determine the county’s Community Level lags a week behind the CDC data and does not include non-resident cases (i.e. visitors, short-term employees, etc.). Not including non-residents may skew the data, resulting in a lower community level of transmission.

Also, the CDC provides timely, inclusive information that encompasses all affected persons, regardless of their official residency. If an individual tests positive and are in the county, they are counted no matter where their home is located. Whereas the weekly numbers reported in the county data only includes county residents.

Coconino County Health and Human Services most recent report shows the county at the medium level of community transmission. This is the information most hear on the news, read in the newspaper or see on the county website. When the CDC also matches the county level, they will see GCNP respond accordingly.

“GRCA receives more than 4.5 million visitors annually. Our visitors are often here for longer than a day. Whether they are here longer than a day or not, our visitors interact with those of us who live and work here in ways that can allow for transmission of the virus. Therefore, it makes sense for us (and other parks) to include non-residents in our statistics,” the park stated.

Information provided by Grand Canyon National Park


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