June 9, 2020 9:50 a.m.
The Roseburg VA Health Care System will begin limiting access to pedestrian and vehicle traffic after hours, starting on June 27th.
A release said the entrance from Garden Valley Boulevard will be gated and closed to all traffic from 5:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m. seven days a week. Access to the campus will remain open through the Harvard Avenue entrance at the Roseburg National Cemetery.
Public Affairs Officer Tim Parish told News Radio 1240 KQEN the decision is a precautionary move to limit unneeded pedestrian and vehicle access through campus while ensuring continued 100% screening for all those entering the facility. He said the VA has been very successful in its efforts to limit possible COVID-19 exposure to veterans and staff with the existing traffic detours, screenings and hygiene efforts.
Parish said the afterhours gate closure at the main gate will ensure that no unneeded pedestrians or vehicle traffic can use the campus as a shortcut between Garden Valley Boulevard and West Harvard Avenue. He said this will further protect veterans and staff from possible COVID-19 exposure while lowering manpower requirements at screening checkpoints during non-peak hours. Parish said the change will have minimal impact on normal traffic patterns already detoured as part of the VA’s COVID-19 response.