Masks are once again required in Great Smoky Mountains National Park as COVID cases spike

As COVID-19 cases spike, face masks are once again required inside Great Smoky Mountains National Park buildings. 

The Tennessee counties surrounding the park (Blount, Cocke and Sevier) are considered high-risk areas by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Knox County is also a high transmission zone. 

The CDC uses hospitalization data and new case counts to determine the safety level in each community. In "high" zones, masks are recommended indoors and those at risk should take extra precautions. 

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"Effective immediately and until further notice, face masks are now required in all park facilities to protect the health and safety of you, your co-workers, partners, contractors, and park visitors," an email from the park's volunteer office reads. 

Masks are required regardless of vaccination status. The need will be assessed each week based on CDC data, according to the email.