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Navajo Nation Ends Shelter-In-Place Order But Keeps Other Restrictions In Place

AP photo/Carolyn Kaster

Navajo Nation health officials yesterday ended the tribe’s stay-at-home order replacing it with a new set of requirements.

The order mandates "drive-in" gatherings, requiring people remain in their cars for religious services, funerals and other events to protect against the spread of coronavirus. It also keeps in place daily curfews between 9 p.m. and 5 a.m. and closes all roads on the Navajo Nation to visitors and tourists for the duration of the public health emergency. Residents aren’t required to stay home but leaders are urging them to limit travel. 

"We all play an important role in keeping the number of COVID-19 cases low. As the Navajo Nation is taking small and responsible steps to reopen the economy in a phased approach that is data-driven, it is important to stay alert and prepared to protect ourselves and others," says President Jonathan Nez. 

The tribe Sunday reported two dozen new known cases of COVID-19 and two more deaths. There have been nearly 9,500 total infections since the pandemic began with 480 deaths on the reservation. A majority of those who have contracted the virus have recovered.

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