One of nature's most breath-taking sights, the Grand Canyon National Park, has been temporarily closed to visitors.
The park has been closed due to heavy pressure from local health workers. The advisory from heath authorities came after a Grand Canyon village resident on the South Rim of the canyon contracted coronavirus.
The National Park Service (NPS) received a letter on Wednesday from the local health department recommending the full closure of Grand Canyon.
"The health and safety of park visitors, employees, residents, volunteers, and partners at Grand Canyon National Park is the Service's number one priority. The NPS has consistently assessed its park units and made modifications to its operations in accordance with CDC, state and local public health guidance, and the NPS will continue to follow the guidance of public health officials in making determinations about our operations to address this pandemic," said a press release.
“Upon receiving this request from the local health department, all visitor facilities, trails, and roads including Highway 64 have been closed until further notice. These closures will be in effect 24-hours a day/7-days a week.”
The Grand Canyon, one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World, was open even when most of the American tourist attractions were closed. It remained open even after all the tourist destinations were closed down due to Covid-19 outbreak in the United States.
Located in Arizona, USA, the park is world famous for sunrise and sunset. Several films have been shot here.
Grand Canyon is the second-largest park in the world and the second most popular park among the 62 national parks in the United States.