Alice Compton, with Marsh Regional Blood Center, sanitizes the a door handle of one of the blood mobiles after a blood donor leaves on Monday, March 23, 2020 from a blood drive at the Bristol Motor Speedway in Bristol, Tenn. With a nationwide shortage of blood supply growing, the blood drive provides local residents the opportunity to donate in a time of need due to the coronavirus pandemic. (David Crigger/Bristol Herald Courier via AP)
March 24, 2020 - 7:51 AM
NASHVILLE - The Great Smoky Mountains National Park is shutting down for two weeks in an effort to help stop the spread of the new coronavirus, according to a news release from the park.
The nation's most visited national park has been attempting to comply with the Centers for Disease Control’s guidance for social distancing. However, around 30,000 people entered the park each day last week and some popular sites like Laurel Falls, Newfound Gap and Cades Cove were congested, according to the release.
The two-week closure begins Tuesday at noon and will continue through April 6. It includes all trails and roads with the exception of Foothills Parkway and the Spur, a section of U.S. Highway 441 that runs over park land.
During the closure period, visitors can view the park through webcams. Park rangers can still help answer questions via email or phone during business hours. Park officials will continue to assess changing conditions, and updates can be found on the park's website and social media sites.
News from © The Associated Press, 2020