FAQ for Yosemite Community Members - Yosemite Site

FAQ for Yosemite Community Members
Updated 4/23/2020- We will be updating this information as resources allows and as new information
becomes available.

Key Reminders to Residents/Employees During Closure
   •   Remember to obey the speed limits for the safety of wildlife and the community.
   •   Follow CDC guidance and maintain 6 feet of distance between individuals. Do not congregate in
       groups or in common areas.
   •   The park initiated a full closure at 3 pm on 3/20/2020. This closure does not allow for travel into
       the park for the purposes of purchasing food, picking up mail, or other essential activities by
       people who live outside the boundaries of Yosemite National Park. Rangers staffing the
       entrances may grant access for the purposes of medical care, based on their discretion and in
       consultation with the incident command staff.
   •   If you receive mail at an address in the park but live outside the park, consider temporarily
       forwarding your mail via https://moversguide.usps.com/mgo/. (There is a $1.05 charge to verify
       your identity via a credit card associated that is associated with your “old” or “new” addresses.)
       You may also contact the postmaster, John Reynolds at John.o.reynolds@usps.gov or 209/372-
       4475 to arrange a solution that will work.
   •   South Entrance, Arch Rock and Big Oak Flat entrances are closed to all traffic nightly from 10 pm
       to 6 am. The gate is staffed from 6 am to 10 pm and open during those hours to employees,
       residents, and property owners with proof of residency/employment. Yosemite National Park
       remains closed to visitors. Please plan accordingly.
   •   Be aware that living in Yosemite National Park is a special privilege. Be conscious of what is
       posted on social media at this time, knowing that many others cannot experience the park right
       now because of the closure.

Closures and Open Hours
As of March 23, 2020:

   •   Park entrance stations closed at 3pm on 3/20/2020. South Entrance, Arch Rock and Big Oak Flat
       entrances are closed to all traffic nightly from 10 pm to 6 am. The gate is staffed from 6 am to
       10 pm and open during those hours to employees, residents, and property owners with proof of
       residency/employment. Yosemite National Park remains closed to visitors.
   •   All park facilities (NPS, concession, etc.) remain closed except for restrooms, gas stations, post
       offices, and the county library in Yosemite Valley. Visitor centers, museums, lodging,
       campgrounds, stores, restaurants, etc., are closed to the public.
   •   The Village Store (10 am–6 pm), Wawona Store (8 am–6 pm), El Portal Market (9 am–7 pm), and
       grab-and-go at Degnan’s Deli (8 am–10 am, noon–2 pm, 4-7 pm) are open for community
       members. Please bring a local ID or employee ID.
   •   Yosemite Conservancy-run facilities including the Mariposa Grove Depot, Happy Isles Art and
       Nature Center, and Valley Visitor Center Bookstore are closed.
   •   The Yosemite shuttle system is not operating. This includes the shuttle in Yosemite Valley as well
       as Mariposa Grove.

•   Beginning 3/21/2020, YARTS is running a modified route from Merced to the Yosemite View
        Lodge. There is no YARTS service into or out of the park. For more information see:
        https://yarts.com/news/yarts-operate-modified-scheduled-starting-3-21-2020/
    •   YH will be offering limited, to-go-only F&B services at Degnan’s Deli for Yosemite community
        members during the partial closure of park services. Like the Carabiner, this service will be
        closed to the public but available to all park partner employees and their family members.
        Breakfast will be served from 8am to 10am, Lunch from 12pm to 2pm, and Dinner from 4pm to
        7pm daily. There are daily $5.00 meal specials, enhanced grab-n-go options, and all the regular
        snacks and sodas. Please note that traffic will be monitored at the door to maintain appropriate
        social distancing as recommended by the CDC.
    •   Yosemite National Park Childcare Center (El Portal and Yosemite Valley) are closed.

Where can I get the most up to date park information?
    •   Community & Employee calls
    •   Community Call (Monday/Wednesday/Friday): 1-888-690-8543; Participant Code: 8305337#
    •   NPS Employee Call (Monday/Wednesday/Friday): 1-888-690-8543 Participant Code: 4990864#
    •   Employee hotline: 209-379-1186
    •   FOR NPS EMPLOYEES-COVID-19 Information Sharepoint:
        https://doimspp.sharepoint.com/sites/YOSECOVID-
        19Info/Shared%20Documents/Forms/AllItems.aspx?viewid=98dac311%2D78db%2D4001%2D96
        3a%2Db1605ef34692&id=%2Fsites%2FYOSECOVID%2D19Info%2FShared%20Documents%2FGen
        eral

How can I receive emergency alerts for our area?
Mariposa, Madera, and Tuolumne counties, as well as Yosemite National Park, use Everbridge for
emergency alerts. Sign up via https://go.nps.gov/alert.

Can I help with making cloth protective masks?
The CDC is now recommending the use of masks (in addition to social distancing, hand washing...and
mostly STAYING AT HOME). If you are able, please make a mask for yourself using this recommended
pattern: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prevent-getting-sick/diy-cloth-face-
coverings.html

If you are able and interested in making masks for others, consider dropping them off at the firehouse
nearest you in El Portal, Yosemite Valley, Wawona or Hodgdon Meadow. Boxes will be available out
front for community members to pick up a mask if needed. Please ensure masks are washed before the
first use, and after each wearing.

Can I still recreate in the park if I am a resident living inside the park?
Yes. However, the following limitations apply to those who are in Yosemite National Park:

    •   Generally, individuals should stay inside or in the immediate proximity of their residence as
        much as possible unless they are
    •   performing mission critical work for the NPS or an authorized Park Partner, or
    •   participating in essential activities (procuring food or medicine, traveling to a healthcare facility,
        etc.).

•   Individuals may recreate outside for purposes of exercise provided they are maintaining social
        distancing of 6 feet.
    •   Individuals shall not congregate in groups of 11 or more at any time. Smaller groups are
        recommended in order to maintain appropriate social distancing practices.

Both the public use limit and closure order are posted at
https://www.nps.gov/yose/learn/management/closures.htm.

Be aware that living in Yosemite National Park is a special privilege. Be conscious of what is posted on
social media at this time, knowing that many others cannot experience the park right now because of the
closure.

Will El Portal employees be able to recreate in Yosemite Valley during this time?
No, due to the need to support the county’s request to minimize travel between communities.

What is the new public use limitation ordered on April 10?
    •   Individuals shall stay inside or in the immediate proximity of their residence unless they are:
            • performing critical community infrastructure or response work for the NPS, park
                 concessioner, an approved contractor or an authorized Park Partner, or
            • conducting essential activities (procuring food or medicine, traveling to a healthcare
                 facility, etc.).
    •   Individuals may recreate outside for purposes of exercise provided they are recreating within
        the district in which they reside and are maintaining social distancing of 6 feet with all but
        immediate family members. Traveling to other districts of the park for purposes of recreation is
        prohibited.
    •   Individuals shall not congregate in groups of 11 or more at any time; all individuals shall
        maintain social distancing of 6 feet with all but immediate family members.
    •   Individuals who have been directed by a Public Health Official or the Superintendent to be in
        “Isolation” or “Quarantine” shall stay within their residence at all times except to receive
        medical care until cleared by a Public Health Official or medical professional.

If I live in Yosemite Valley, where am I allowed to hike?
Please choose responsible, low-risk activities to best protect our entire community and to not overload
our first responders and limited medical system. Responsible exercise choices mean activities like hiking,
biking, yoga, etc. If you are exercising with others, keep your distance even while on the trails or bikes.
Exercise looks different to every person but there is STRONG encouragement to stay close to the road
for risk management. This is not a normal hiking season.

All trails are open except for seasonal closures.
    •   The Four Mile Trail remains closed beyond Union Point.
    •   The Mist Trail from its junction with the John Muir Trail above Vernal Fall footbridge to the top
        of Vernal Fall remains closed, but may open soon.
    •   The John Muir Trail is closed from Clark Point to its junction with the Panorama Trail (“ice cut”).
    •   All other trails are open for resident exercise for the corresponding district in which they reside.

•   For the most up to date information regarding seasonal closure of trails, please visit
        https://www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/conditions.htm#CP_JUMP_469992.

How do we handle suspected cases of COVID-19 in employees?
Symptoms of COVID-19 (fever, cough, shortness of breath) are similar to many other illnesses and can
be non-specific. Park managers are encouraged to use the CDC risk assessment tool to evaluate risk to
employees from confirmed case exposures but recognize that uncertainty exists while persons under
investigation for COVID-19 infection await testing and in particular as testing capabilities are limited and
symptom severity varies from person to person. If a person has close, prolonged contact with a
confirmed case, they should self-quarantine for 14 days. Currently no action is required for contacts of
non-confirmed cases unless they develop signs or symptoms consistent with COVID-19 OR the contact is
confirmed as a COVID-19 case. In this case they should begin self-isolation and seek medical advice as
per the guidance for suspected cases or close contacts of confirmed cases, respectively. This guidance is
subject to change as more information becomes available.

CDC and public health authorities encourage anyone to stay home and practice social distancing when ill
and while awaiting medical advice or testing for COVID-19. Supervisors and employees are encouraged
to evaluate situational telework options and limit travel to only mission critical needs to minimize
transmission potential while awaiting test results in both symptomatic individuals and their
household/close contacts. Once confirmatory test results are obtained, managers should follow the risk
assessment tool guidelines.

How can I get disinfectant supplies?
FOR NPS EMPLOYEES: Maintenance currently has towels and disinfectant solution in spray bottles for
your use. Please contact maintenance if you are in need. They are limited in supply of hand sanitizer and
request that at this time, only front line employees who do not have access to a sink, utilize what they
currently have on hand.

FOR PARK PARTNER EMPLOYEES: Please contact your direct supervisor.

Is there a plan for employees housed in the dorms and/or shared housing?
FOR NPS EMPLOYEES: If you are in shared government housing and need housing alternatives due to
any vulnerabilities, please email the housing office at yose_housing@nps.gov and they will assist in
finding arrangements.

Aramark currently has a plan for isolation units should any of their employees have a need.

FOR PARK PARTNERS: contact your direct supervisor.

What happens if I’m sent into quarantine or isolation?
You may have seen the Ready, Set, Go flyer (which we’ve attached again today and which was delivered
to post office boxes in Yosemite and El Portal). The flyer helps you be prepared in case you are sent into
quarantine or isolation. If you live in park housing and go to the clinic or see your personal physician and
it’s determined you should go into quarantine (due to possible exposure) or isolation (due to suspected
infection), the incident management team will provide a place to stay if you need to temporarily move
out of a shared housing situation, and provide transportation, ensure you have a way to get food and
other necessities, etc.

Where can I find support?
FOR NPS EMPLOYEES: DOI's Employee Assistance Program (EAP) offers professional, confidential
counseling and consultation that can help you find support. Services are available at no cost to you or
members of your family. Espyr is DOI’s contracted service. Contact information can be found below
along with Yosemite's licensed counselor.

    •   Espyr phone number: 800-869-0276 a (live counselor is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week).
    •   Espyr website: www.espyr.com
    •   Employee Portal Access on website: https://www.espyr.com/sign-in/ (Access mandatory
        password: interioreap)
    •   Jenni Buczko, licensed counselor in Yosemite, is available by phone at 209-268-2286.
    •   FOR PARK PARTNER EMPLOYEES: Please contact your supervisors for unique resources. Jenni
        Buczko, licensed counselor in Yosemite, is available by phone at 209-268-2286.

FOR PARK PARTNER EMPLOYEES: Please contact your supervisors for unique resources. Jenni Buczko,
licensed counselor in Yosemite, is available by phone at 209-268-2286.

Will a Yosemite West homeowner who is currently living outside of Yosemite National
Park be allowed entry to visit/maintain our house in Yosemite West?
Homeowners are allowed entry to their property in Yosemite West. Travel should be direct to/from
entry gate to/from their property in Yosemite west without making stops or detours within the park.
Staff will be checking name of folks leaving and coming in. This is to alleviate concerns of joining or
adding residence in the park.

Non-resident clarification; For property owners, are extended family members allowed to
visit if we live inside the park?
 Extended family are not authorized. Only those who are normally residents (Residents, property
owners, or part-time property owners) in an identified household would be granted access for essential
travel only.

Can AT&T and Verizon would put in cell towers so residents of El Portal could use their
AT&T cell phones and Verizon would be more available?
Yosemite has been working with both Verizon and AT&T wireless to provide or enhance coverage in the
El Portal area. Progress is slowly occurring with Verizon and AT&T however, no short term enhanced
service solution is available at this time.

Are food stamps (Calfresh EBT cards) accepted at the park stores?
Aramark is now able to accept EBT cards for the CalFresh program. To apply for EBT benefits please call
209-966-2000.

Can Yosemite Hospitality look at the removal or thinning of souvenirs/gifts to make room
for groceries in the stores?
 They will consider this. They will also look at the best set of groceries available at each of
the stores.

Do we know when the park is going to re-open?
We do not currently have any updates regarding opening dates due to the situation rapidly evolving and
changing. As soon as there is information on this topic, it will be communicated out to employees and
residents.

Is Fedex and/or UPS still allowed access to the park to deliver packages to residents?
Yes.

Where do I get more information about the pass system issued by Yosemite Hospitality?
This system has been suspended at this time. Please ensure that if you are leaving the park, it is only for
essential travel purposes.

Is grocery delivery available?
Mariposa County Chamber of Commerce is coordinating grocery delivery to community members who
are at high risk (typically, people 65 or older or those with certain diagnosed medical conditions). If you
or someone you know is in a high-risk category who is in need of groceries and cannot leave the house,
please call the chamber to get signed up at 209/966-2456, Monday–Friday, 8am–5pm. Orders must be
24 hours in advance to be eligible for delivery.

General Public Health Information
When should sick employees return to work?
If a suspected case of COVID 19 is found to be low likelihood of COVID-19 by a medical professional, the
person should follow medical guidance on staying home until non-infectious. If the person is considered
a possible COVID-19 case but testing is not done and in the absence of complete data on viral shedding,
public health recommendations are to keep individuals with symptoms consistent with COVID-19 (ie,
fever of 100.5°F or higher, dry cough, shortness of breath) in isolation until fever has resolved for at
least 72 hours without the use of fever reducing medication AND other symptoms such as shortness of
breath have improved AND at least 7 days have elapsed since the symptoms first began. This
recommendation is based on incomplete science regarding viral shedding and persistence and is likely to
change as new information becomes available- please consult the latest guidance from CDC.

What are cleaning recommendations?
General cleaning and disinfection guidance from CDC for indoors spaces both with and without
overnight lodging should be followed. This guidance recommends allowing an enclosed area where a
confirmed COVID-19 case spent time to air out for as long as possible and up to 24 hours prior to
cleaning and disinfecting by staff wearing gowns (for which dedicated coveralls are a suitable substitute)
and gloves. Additional precautions are required for healthcare settings. At this time, N-95 respirators are
only recommended for individuals conducting aerosol generating procedures in direct contact with
infected patients, such as health care professionals and emergency medical services personnel.

In public spaces, high-touch surface areas should be cleaned if visibly dirty and disinfected frequently
with a general household cleaner or an EPA registered disinfectant. Staff are encouraged to use
discretion when determining the frequency of disinfection necessary. Materials that cannot easily be
cleaned and disinfected, such as animal pelts, historic artifacts, or other natural materials that may be
damaged by frequent cleaning should be kept out of public contact until the risk of COVID-19

transmission is reduced or additional guidance becomes available. Sample toys or products in gift shops
or restaurants should be used with discretion and managers should consider discontinuing samples until
transmission risk is reduced. In areas where materials that can be routinely touched by the public cannot
be reasonably disinfected, such as in libraries or gift shops, clear messaging should be present
encouraging hand washing and sanitation and access to hand washing facilities should be readily
available.

Can the virus spread in air?
Airborne spread has not been reported for COVID-19 and it is not believed to be a major driver of
transmission based on available evidence; however, it can be envisaged if certain aerosol-generating
procedures are conducted in health care facilities. This assumption may change as more information
becomes available.

 Source: https://www.who.int/docs/default-source/coronaviruse/who-china-joint-mission-on-covid-19-
final-report.pdf

Can the virus be spread on surfaces? How long does it last on surfaces?
Although it is possible that viral particles can be deposited on surfaces from respiratory droplets created
an infected person coughing or sneezing, epidemiologic data from other countries suggests close
person-to-person contact is overwhelmingly the primary mode of transmission in cases documented to
date. It is unknown at this time how long the virus can remain active on surfaces, but data from
preliminary studies, studies on other similar viruses, and current indications are that aerosol
transmission is not a significant contributing factor in community spread of COVID-19. Laboratory
studies in a controlled setting found viable virus on cardboard for up to 24 hours and up to two to three
days on plastic and stainless steel in certain but not all circumstances; however, the amount of virus
recovered was many orders of magnitude lower than what was originally deposited, demonstrating a
rapid decay in the amount of viable virus, and it is not yet clear if the amount of virus left at each
endpoint was high enough to be infectious to a person. It is important to note that a controlled
laboratory setting is considerably different than ambient and real-world settings. Most viral persistence
studies have found other similar viruses to live for a shorter time in non-laboratory settings than
compared to laboratory settings. In an abundance of caution, it is reasonable to assume the virus could
survive on some surfaces for up to 3 days.

Are there any documented cases of COVID-19 cases in the park or Mariposa County?
As of March 21, 2020, there are no documented cases in Yosemite National Park or Mariposa County.
On March 13, the Mariposa County Health & Human Services Agency issued a Declaration of a Local
Health Emergency "based on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention statements, there is an
ongoing risk and likelihood of COVID-19 positive patients being identified in Mariposa County, and there
is an imminent and proximate threat of the introduction of COVID-19 in the County of Mariposa and a
threat to the public health of the County residents." We are continuing to work with public health
officials in monitoring the situation.

You can find the most up to date information regarding COVID-19 cases in Mariposa County by visiting
their website at: https://www.mariposacounty.org/1592/COVID-19-Information.

What is the current status of pile burning in the park?
Residential pile burning in Yosemite National Park is still permitted in Wawona, Foresta, and Aspen
Valley. Residential pile burning is also still permitted for Mariposa and Tuolumne Counties. Before
burning, you must call the county burn day information line to confirm it is a permissive burn day. Once
you have confirmed it is a permissive burn day notify park dispatch to let them know you are burning,
this includes any residential pile burning in Yosemite West and El Portal. Make sure to clear all
flammable material within 10 feet of your pile, always remain in attendance, keep water supply close by,
and make sure your fire is dead out before leaving it.

Mariposa County Burn Line: 209-966-1200

Tuolumne County Burn Line: 209-533-5598

Yosemite Dispatch: 209-379-1999

Pile burning is an effective tool for reducing hazardous vegetation around homes in the wildland urban
interface. Please be mindful of smoke impacts by burning dry vegetation only on permissive burn days. All
the work being done in the local communities is appreciated. For more information email
yose_fire_info@nps.gov.

Can families residing in the park allow their children to play together outside?
Residents, including children, are permitted to go outside and get exercise. Everyone should be
practicing social distancing. We recognize that each family unit is currently dealing with their own
unique situations, and the term "family unit" can be defined in various ways. For example, two families
may come together to help support each other so that they can perform essential duties and care for
young children while still practicing social distancing. Another example might be a family that has a non-
resident family member or friend who is already sheltering in place in the park in order to assist with
childcare.