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Utah Gov. Gary Herbert said Wednesday that he supports President Donald Trump’s efforts to reopen national parks after coronavirus-related closures.
The president announced those plans Wednesday at an Earth Day tree-planting event but did not provide a specific timeline for when those public spaces will reopen.
“Following our announcement last week to reopen state parks to all visitors, I support a safe and structured reopening of Utah’s five national parks, and other national recreation areas,” Herbert said in a news release. “We look forward to working with local health departments in finalizing plans to safely get people back into Utah’s own Mighty Five.”
The governor encouraged Utahns to recreate responsibly by staying close to home and practicing safe social distancing on trails, golf courses, fishing docks and overlooks. He also asked that those enjoying the outdoors stay home if they’re sick and keep parks and recreation areas clean by packing out what they bring in.
“We all play a part in keeping one another safe, whether in our communities, or recreating at a state or national park,” he said. “By working together, I believe we can safely reopen these areas.”
