Visitor access increasing June 15 at Capulin Volcano National Monument. Courtesy/NPS
CVNM News:
CAPULIN – Following guidance from the White House, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and state and local public health authorities, Capulin Volcano National Monument (CVNM) is increasing recreational access.
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 June 15, Capulin Volcano National Monument will reopen access to:
- Visitor Center;
- Western National Parks Association Park Store; and
- Volcano Road.
These facilities have been closed since March 17th due to the COVID-19 pandemic but can now re-open with safety precautions in place. The park staff is encouraging visitors to wear masks while inside the visitor center, which is limited to 10 people at a time to provide for adequate social distancing. Visitors must check in at the Visitor Center to either purchase a vehicle pass or to show an Interagency Pass to the ranger at the front desk before proceeding up the Volcano Road.
“We are thrilled to be increasing access to visitor services at the Monument,” Acting Site Manager Chris Moehring said, “but we do want to keep visitor’s safe while they are here enjoying their public lands. To that end we are putting these precautions in place following state and CDC guidelines.”
The health and safety of our visitors, employees, volunteers, and partners continues to be paramount. At Capulin Volcano National Monument, our operational approach will be to examine 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 and workspaces are safe and clean for visitors, employees, partners, and volunteers.
While these areas are accessible for visitors to enjoy, a return to full operations will continue to be phased and services may be limited. When recreating, the public should follow local area health orders (New Mexico Department of Health), practice Leave No Trace principles, avoid crowding and avoid high-risk outdoor activities.
The CDC has offered guidance to help people recreating in parks and open spaces prevent the spread of infectious diseases. We will continue to monitor all park functions to ensure that visitors adhere to CDC guidance for mitigating risks associated with the transmission of COVID-19 and take any additional steps necessary to protect public health.
For the latest information, visit the Capulin Volcano National Monument website at www.nps.gov/cavo or their Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/CapulinVolcanoNPS/.
