March 17, 2020

TUCSON, Ariz. — Tumamoc Hill will close temporarily to the public on Wednesday, March 18, at noon, for an undetermined period of time, as a safety precaution in response to the global coronavirus pandemic.

"Given the rising public health concerns regarding spread of the novel coronavirus, COVID- 19, Tumamoc Hill is taking the utmost precaution to safeguard our community,"
said Joaquin Ruiz, University of Arizona vice president for global environmental futures. "As a core gathering site for so many Tucsonans, Tumamoc Hill also unfortunately has the potential to be a prime vector for spread."

"We have been closely following the use of Tumamoc Hill in recent days, along with the CDC and local guidelines," said Ben Wilder, director of Tumamoc Hill. "The number of people congregating on Tumamoc Hill, more than 1,500 on each of the past three days, is far above the recommended public gathering size. There is no way we can guarantee the safety of those that come to Tumamoc Hill at this time."

The Tumamoc Hill website and Instagram feed (@desert.laboratory) will provide the latest updates including when the hill will reopen to the public.

"We know how much Tumamoc means to our community," Wilder said. "It is a place for escape, connection, friendship and health. The current moment dictates that to maintain each of these qualities, the right thing to do is the hardest. Please respect this decision and do not hike Tumamoc Hill, a sensitive cultural and ecological environment, from any approach, until we formally reopen."

Additional information is available on the University of Arizona COVID-19 website, https://www.arizona.edu/coronavirus-covid-19-information.

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