Face Masks Required

To help keep visitors and employees safe amid the COVID-19 pandemic, face masks covering the nose and mouth are required on all U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service lands and in all U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service buildings.

Details

While entering or remaining upon a national wildlife refuge or national fish hatchery, all visitors over the age of 2 years^* must wear masks, except when actively eating or drinking, in the following locations:

1. All common areas and shared workspaces in buildings owned, rented, or leased by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, including, but not limited to, visitor centers, administrative offices, and gift shops.
2. The following outdoor areas, when others are present where the project leader, refuge manager and/or hatchery manager has determined that physical distancing (staying at least 6 feet apart) cannot reasonably be maintained:

• Outdoor areas adjacent to visitor centers or administrative office entry areas
• Parking lots or pull-off viewing areas when outside of an enclosed motor vehicle
• Trailheads, trails, rest areas, fishing piers, boat ramps, and close-proximity hunting area

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 with ventilation valves and face shields do not meet the mask requirement.

^*Masks should not be worn by:

• Children younger than 2 years old
• Anyone who has trouble breathing
• Anyone who is unconscious, incapacitated, or otherwise unable to remove the mask without assistance