Yellowstone testing employees for COVID-19; so far so good

Yellowstone National Park is welcoming tourists who might be relieved to learn that initial COVID-19 testing among employees has not turned up a single positive case.

The park announced Thursday that it tested 43 non-symptomatic employees who hold front-line positions on May 28-29. All tests came back negative.

Yellowstone, which spans portions of Wyoming, Montana and Idaho, opened its two Wyoming entrances on May 18, and its three other entrances (in Montana) on June 1.

The park, utilizing a phased-opening approach, is presently open for day use only.

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Part of the reopening plan calls for surveillance testing of National Park Service and concessions employees who deal directly with the public.

About 100 tests will have been conducted by the end of this week, the park stated Thursday, and surveillance testing will occur through the summer.

“This is the most aggressive employee surveillance testing being conducted in the National Park System,” said Yellowstone Superintendent Cam Sholly. “We couldn’t do this without our partners in the states and counties.

“Our goal is to detect positive COVID-19 cases as early as possible, so we can isolate and support those employees, while reducing chances of spreading the virus. Information gained from this program will inform management decisions.”

Yellowstone reported that vehicle traffic through the two Wyoming entrances from May 18-31 was 70% of traffic during the same period in 2019.

Vehicle traffic through the three Montana entrances from June 1-3 was 45% of traffic during the same period in 2019.

–Images captured in the park after it reopened are courtesy of NPS/Jacob W. Frank