Pandemic Closes Grand Canyon National Park

The Grand Canyon has always been on my list of beautiful sights to see for many years and it goes without saying that now is not the time to go there.

According to WILX, the Grand Canyon is now closed indefinitely to visitors, joining other national parks seeking to prevent the spread of the coronavirus.

So now, one of nature's most breath taking sights is closed to visitors.

Staff at the Grand Canyon had been shutting down visitors services piecemeal as the federal government initially rebuffed its request to shutter completely.

The Interior Secretary said he finally approved the park's request at the recommendation of a county health official who said keeping the park open puts employees, residents and tourists at risk.

The park reported earlier this week that a resident who worked at a lodge run by a concessionaire tested positive for COVID-19 and spent time in isolation.

The Grand Canyon closure includes a state highway that runs through the park's South Rim entrance and the East Rim on to the Navajo reservation.