Should You Cancel Your Trip to the Black Hills Because of Coronavirus?
UPDATE: Whew. We’ve all been through a lot this last week, and the news keeps rolling in. We’re going to stop updating this post with the latest stats and news updates, but we want to reiterate: as of right now, the 1899 Inn remains open to any travelers on the road, and you can book online here or call us at 864-210-1899. We think the 1899 Inn is the perfect post-lockdown getaway.
The state of South Dakota and the City of Deadwood are not currently under stay-at-home orders, though most restaurants, bars, and public spaces are providing delivery or curbside service only. Outdoor spaces at public and national parks in the area are open, though indoor visitor centers are closed. The number of active cases in the area remains low, despite a relatively high number of tests per capita. For more information about what’s happening in South Dakota, check the Department of Health’s website, and check out our post on why we think the Black Hills will be a great place to visit once it’s safe to travel again.
We know that many of you are changing your spring and summer travel plans as a result of the virus. If possible, we hope you can postpone and reschedule your travels rather than cancel altogether. The 1899 Inn is being extremely flexible during this difficult period. If you reschedule your trip for later in the year, but you can’t travel on your new dates for any reason (whether it’s related to COVID-19, the economy, summer school, or just because you’re having a bad hair day), we’ll gladly reschedule or cancel your reservation without penalty. We want you to come stay with us in Deadwood as soon as it’s safe to do so, and we’ll make it as easy as possible for you to plan (and change!) your trip. Despite the uncertainty, you can book or re-book your stay with us risk-free.
ORIGINAL POST: Everyone is concerned about the COVID-19 coronavirus, and as larger communities cancel events and ask people to stay home, we’ve started to get some questions about how the virus might impact travel to South Dakota’s Black Hills. As a family living here who welcomes guests professionally, we wanted to share our perspective.
It’s important to note that we’re not medical professionals, and the situation changes daily. And while we have a direct interest in hosting guests here in Deadwood - it’s our livelihood, after all - we want people to travel safely and to feel relaxed while they’re staying with us. It’s hard to have a nice vacation if you’re worried about getting sick - or making others sick!
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control has an easy-to-use page with advice for traveling within the United States. We’ve pulled a lot of information from their website, but if you’d like to read more, please go check it out.
We’ll update this post every few days with new information.
Is the virus spreading in the Black Hills?
As of March 23, there have been 21 presumed cases in the state, and no cases at all in western South Dakota. (One case was identified in a man who lived in Pennington County, but he was traveling, and didn’t make it back home after he was diagnosed.) For context: the Black Hills region is home to less than 200,000 people, and the entire state of South Dakota has a population of about 880,000. The 1899 Inn is open and operating normally, as are many businesses in Deadwood. Most events have been cancelled, however, and some businesses are being cautious about limiting the number of people in a room. The Deadwood Mountain Grand and the Saloon #10 closed this last weekend, and some big casinos are considering shutting down.
Am I likely to come into contact with the virus while traveling to Deadwood?
Most of our guests arrive by car, but if you’re planning to arrive by air, you should check the CDC’s recommendation. While airplanes themselves aren’t much of a risk as long as you’re mindful of what you touch - the air inside cabins is well-treated and filtered - crowded airports can be a risk factor.
What about once I arrive? What’s it like in Deadwood?
At this point, the CDC is advising people to avoid crowded places. Fortunately, one of the reasons people come to the Black Hills is because we’re an uncrowded place, particularly in the springtime. That’s especially true at the 1899 Inn: with only five guest rooms, high-ceilinged rooms, and plenty of space, you aren’t going to see very many other people once you get here. The historic center of town is mostly made up of other small, high-ceilinged buildings that limit crowd sizes and leave plenty of room for ventilation. The other good news is that since Deadwood is a gaming town, the businesses here have long employed aggressive sanitizing procedures. Our community has always been attentive to cleaning and disinfecting, and the town is even more vigilant.
Should I travel if I feel sick?
If you’re feeling ill, please stay at home! We’ll gladly waive any cancellation fees if you book a room with us but then feel sick at the last minute.
Should I travel at all?
At present, the CDC has issued a Level 2 advisory for travel in the United States. That means that people who have compromised immune systems should avoid contact with people and not travel. They’re also advising “older adults” to avoid places with large crowds. People over age 60 are urged to be cautious, and people over age 80 are considered to be at high risk of getting very sick. If you’re not in a high-risk group and you do decide to travel, the CDC is recommending that you take precautions, including frequent hand-washing and social distancing, which means staying about six feet (1.8 meters) away from people. More recent guidance has encouraged people to reconsider any travel that’s very far from home.
The summary: Be cautious and responsible, but there’s no need to panic.
And, as always, if you have any questions about your trip to the Black Hills, please ask us! You can call us anytime at 864-210-1899, or you can send a message to Laura at laura@1899inn.com.
Stay safe, wash your hands often, and we look forward to hosting you on your next trip to the Black Hills!
-Dustin & Laura