Officials with the Vicksburg National Military Park announced the park will reopen vehicle access to the park’s tour road and pedestrian access to the Vicksburg National Cemetery Saturday.

Out of concern for the COVID-19 virus, the USS Cairo Museum and the ramp approaching the area around the USS Cairo, the Shirley House area and park restrooms will remain closed to visitors. Other areas remain closed indefinitely for safety reasons.

Grant Avenue from the Sherman Avenue access to Union Avenue remains closed to vehicles and Grant Avenue from the Sherman Avenue access to, and including, Grant Circle is closed to vehicles and pedestrians. Union Avenue from Grant Avenue to the USS Cairo Museum is closed to vehicles and pedestrians.

The Vicksburg National Cemetery is closed to vehicles and the area within the chain link fence is closed to vehicles and pedestrians

Also, according to a release from the park, fewer picnic tables in the park’s picnic areas will be available to visitors.

Visitors using park picnic tables are encouraged to follow the Centers for Disease Control-recommended precautions for frequently touched surfaces, such as wiping them down with EPA approved sanitizing wipes before and after use.

“The health and safety of our visitors, employees, volunteers, and partners continue to be paramount,” said Park Superintendent Bill Justice. “At Vicksburg National Military Park our operational approach will be to examine each facility function and service provided to ensure those operations comply with current public health guidance and will be regularly monitored.

“We continue to work closely with the NPS Office of Public Health using CDC guidance to ensure public and workspaces are safe for visitors, employees, partners, and volunteers,” he said.