April 30, 2020 |
Out-of-state visitors to Wyoming here for non-work purposes will still have to quarantine for 14 days immediately upon their arrival. Governor Mark Gordon yesterday extended the directive another week, pushing it past the start of shed antler collection season which begins tomorrow.
The extension of the governor’s directive will expire on May 8th if public health conditions permit.
Gordon noted that Colorado continues to discourage non-essential travel and Montana’s 14-day self-quarantine directive remains in place.
The governor also noted that his team has been cautious about opening up campgrounds in Wyoming because of concerns they will draw visitors from states where camping is still not allowed. Colorado is one of them.
The governor said the pressure on Wyoming campgrounds reached summertime levels this past winter when fears over the coronavirus were sweeping the nation.
State campgrounds were not closed until March 31st.
The governor issued three public health orders restricting business and social life for Wyoming residents on March 19th.
Many border communities complained that their stores were overrun during that two week period by out-of-state visitors who bought up the limited supplies of essentials still available at that critical time in the crisis.
To prevent the out-of-state crush from recurring this spring, the governor said that state parks will open on May 15th to state residents only.
Among the changes will be a reservation system. Details about how the system will work and other rules for the reopening of state parks will be announced later today.
Possible adjustments to the upcoming fishing season and other details about the easing of the state public health orders will be announced at today’s news conference, which is scheduled for 3 p.m.
Curt Gowdy State Park. Photo courtesy of Wyoming State Parks.