By Linda Kor After the devasting loss of 1,235 lives to COVID on the Navajo Nation, the trend of new cases has finally begun to decline, with no new cases or deaths reported in a 24-hour period at the beginning of last week. On March 10, the Navajo Department of Health rescinded the Stay-at-Home Public Health Emergency Order that was in effect for all residents requiring individuals residing on the Navajo Nation to limit their movement within and outside of their immediate communities. Under the order, individuals could leave their residence only to perform essential activities pertinent to health, safety and welfare. The order was replaced with a Safer at Home Public Health Emergency Order. Under this order, individuals are required to exercise personal responsibility to remain safe but are not ordered to stay home. The requirements of wearing a mask in public, practicing social distancing, avoiding unnecessary travel and gatherings is still in place although gatherings of 10 or fewer people are now permitted. In addition, traditional ceremonies of 10 or fewer people are permitted with guidelines. Churches and other houses of worship may be open with 25% or less of maximum capacity be allowed in any enclosed space. The Navajo Nation’s roads remain closed to visitors and tourists for the duration of the declared public health emergency, and visitors and tourists are required to refrain from travelling to the Navajo Nation at this time. Daily curfew hours remain in place from 9 p.m. to 5 a.m., Mountain Daylight Time. The Nation is currently under the Orange Phase of reopening, which allows a maximum occupancy of 25% for most businesses. Restaurants and dining facilities can now offer drive-thru and curbside services. Personal care services are available by appointment only, as is the same for marinas and parks. Navajo casinos and video poker are allowed to open to Navajo Nation residents and employees only. Youth programs, museums, flea markets, roadside markets, gyms and recreation facilities must still remain closed. For more information on the guidelines, visit https://www.ndoh.navajo-nsn.gov/covid-19.
