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Smokies closing for 2 weeks to help stop COVID-19 spread

Posted at 11:25 AM, Mar 24, 2020
and last updated 2020-03-24 12:25:14-04

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — The Great Smoky Mountains National Park is shutting down for two weeks in an effort help stop the spread of the new coronavirus.

According to a news release from the park, despite efforts to comply with social distancing guidelines, popular areas of the park were congested last week as the park saw about 30,000 visitors each day.

The two-week closure begins Tuesday at noon and will continue through April 6. It includes all trails and roads with the exception of Foothills Parkway and the Spur, a section of U.S. Highway 441 that runs over park land.