The Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park closed its buildings to visitors March 17th. This week, the buildings will be closed to most staff as well.
The park directed its employees to telework from home for 14 days. It’s a response to the risk posed by COVID-19. Superintendent Jason Taylor said the safety measure was mandated at the national level and does not mean the park has shut down.
“So while people won’t be in the building, you won’t see us in the green and gray. We’re all going to be home, working, at least to the extent that we can and try and keep things going and prepare for that second half of the season if it comes, or when it comes, hopefully,” he said.
A few maintenance workers and law enforcement officials will be on site. Taylor estimates only 3 to 5 people will be active in the parks.
An employee left the Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park last week over concerns that the park’s coronavirus precautions weren’t enough to keep employees safe. Taylor said the response from remaining staff to the work from home order has been mixed.
“Some people absolutely did not want to go home or do not want to go home,” Taylor said.
“Others maybe wanted to go home earlier. And I think that we’re just continuing to follow that guidance, the national, local, and state guidance and the most conservative of those different levels of guidance suggests we work at home.”
Taylor said visitors can still access the park if they maintain social distance of six feet and wash hands. Parks are also accessible in virtual tours online.
