
National Parks will begin reopening, President Trump announced today, as he urged states to reopen after coronavirus closures.
The President made the remarks on the South Lawn of the White House during a ceremony marking Earth Day and Arbor Day.
“We’re starting to open our country again,” the President said, “thanks to our significant progress against the invisible enemy, I’m pleased to announced that in line with my administration’s guidelines for opening up America again, we will begin to reopen our National Parks and public lands for the American people to enjoy.”
He then called on Secretary of the Interior David Bernhardt to comment with more details, but Bernhardt did not come to the podium or have a microphone, so his comments were inaudible.
Vice President Mike Pence later commented that the administration would “work closely with governors” to reopen parks and public lands, “so that the American people can enjoy the blessings of those extraordinary places.”
Pence told the Trump that the American people are, “anxious to get back to enjoying all those public parks, and will greatly welcome your leadership.”
It's unclear the degree to which the President's announcement will affect states and other localities.