Updates to Mask Requirements

By order of the Superintendent of Yosemite National Park and the under authority of Title 36, Code of Federal Regulations, the following existing closures, public use limitation, and general regulations are hereby modified:

I. VISITING HOURS, PUBLIC USE LIMITS, CLOSURES, AREA DESIGNATIONS FOR SPECIFIC USES OR ACTIVIES AND CONDITIONS

36 CFR § 1.5 (a)(2) – DESIGNATE AREAS FOR A SPECIFIC USE OR ACTIVITY OR IMPOSE CONDITIONS OR RESTRICTIONS ON A USE OR ACTIVITY.

In response to Executive Order no. 13991 The following conditions apply to all federal employees, contractors, volunteers, park partners, and visitors:
Regardless of vaccination status or local community transmission levels, all individuals over the age of two years must wear masks, except when actively eating or drinking, in all common areas and shared workspaces in federally owned buildings administered by the National Park Service and in office space leased by the National Park Service.

"Federally owned buildings administered by the National Park Service” include, but are not limited to, visitor centers, administrative offices, maintenance facilities and shared government quarters; buildings assigned to concessioners or other park partners; and buildings leased for commercial purposes to individuals or entities other than the National Park Service.
All individuals over the age of two, regardless of vaccination status or local community transmission levels, must wear masks in the following outdoor areas when others are present, except when actively eating or drinking, where the Superintendent has determined that physical distancing (staying at least six feet apart) cannot reasonably be maintained:
• Parking Lots and Viewpoints: Within 100 feet of any parking area or pullout
• Trails: Lower Yosemite Fall Trail, Mist Trail, trails within Mariposa Grove below the Clothespin Tree, Tuolumne Grove, and Merced Grove, and within ½ mile of any trailhead.
• Interpretive Facilities and Programs: Indian Cultural Village and Pioneer Yosemite History Center, and within 50 feet of any park employee speaking to a group, gathering, or people attending an interpretive program.
• Buildings: Within 25 feet of any public building, including (but not limited to) visitor centers, entrance stations, wilderness centers, campground offices, and ranger stations.
• Shuttle stops: Within 25 feet of shuttle stops (during seasons and hours when shuttles are operating).
• Gathering Places: Village Mall (including the area from Yosemite Village Parking Area to the Yosemite Cemetery); Glacier Point area, including all trails from the parking lot to the amphitheater, geology exhibit, and main viewpoint area.
• Eating Areas: Picnic areas and outdoor food service areas, when not eating or drinking.

(El Portal areas)
• Interpretive Facilities and Programs: El Portal Train Exhibit and within 50 feet of any park employee speaking to a group or gathering.
• Buildings: Within 25 feet of any public building, including (but not limited to) the entrance station, post office, fire station, community hall, and gas station.
• Bus stops: When entering, riding, and exiting buses and shuttles (during seasons and hours when buses are operating).
• Gathering Places: Prominent beaches along the river.
• Eating Areas: Picnic areas and outdoor food service areas, when not eating or drinking.

Masks must cover the nose and mouth and fit snugly around the nose and chin with no large gaps around the sides of the face. Masks not designed to be protective, masks with ventilation valves, and face shields do not meet the requirement.
Regardless of vaccination status, all individuals must comply with all orders regarding masks issued by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
CDC prevention measures continue to apply to all travelers on public transit, regardless of vaccination status. Masks remain required on all forms of public transit that operate within parks, including buses, trains, boats/ferries, and in transportation hubs.

This designation rescinds all prior and will remain in place until rescinded or superseded.
https://www.nps.gov/yose/learn/management/closures.htm