Visitors to state parks from outside of Pa. must get COVID-19 test or quarantine for two weeks
The Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources has announced new restrictions on out-of-state visitors to Pennsylvania’s state parks, in an effort to halt the growing spread of COVID-19.
The new measure s announced Friday state that those traveling from out of state to visit Pennsylvania parks must either have a negative COVID19 test within 72 hours prior to their arrival, or must quarantine for 14 days after arriving in the state.
The new measures apply to residents from out of state, as well as Pennsylvanians who are returning from traveling out of state. Overnight facilities at state parks cannot be used for the 14-day quarantine requirement. Masks must also be worn outdoors when visitors are unable to socially distance the required six feet from one another.
The DCNR has also announced that all exhibit halls and interpretive areas will be closed and all indoor programs canceled, though restrooms will still be available. Outdoor educational and recreational programs will be limited to 20 people, including staff or volunteers organizing the events.
Visitors who don’t comply with the new measures may be fined between $25 and $300, and those who refuse to mask when required will be denied service. Visits and reservations will be canceled and refunds will be issued to those who do not meet the new requirements.
“Since the beginning of efforts to address the pandemic, we have kept our state park and forest lands open to all so that people can safely enjoy outdoor recreation as a way to maintain positive physical and mental health, and that will continue to be the case,” said Cindy Adams Dunn, secretary of the DCNR. “We are making some changes to our overnight stays for out-of-state-visitors and our programming to help decrease the spread of COVID-19.”
More information about Pennsylvania’s state parks and forests, as well as the new COVID-19 measures, are available on the DCNR website.