ARIZONA NEWS

Navajo Nation unhappy about Grand Canyon reopening due to COVID-19 risk

May 15, 2020, 12:19 PM | Updated: 3:14 pm

A social distancing sign is seen at the Grand Canyon Friday, May 15, 2020, in Grand Canyon, Ariz. T...

A social distancing sign is seen at the Grand Canyon Friday, May 15, 2020, in Grand Canyon, Ariz. Tourists are once again roaming portions of  Grand Canyon National Park when it partially reopened Friday morning, despite objections that the action could exacerbate the coronavirus pandemic. (AP Photo/Matt York)

(AP Photo/Matt York)

PHOENIX — Navajo Nation leadership isn’t happy with the National Park Service’s decision to start reopening Grand Canyon National Park.

Tribal President Jonathan Nez also expressed concerns about Arizona’s phased reopening plans.

“We are disappointed to see that Arizona is reopening,” Nez said Friday in a press release that cited concerns about a possible spike in cases of COVID-19, which has hit the tribe hard.

On Thursday night, Navajo Nation updated its reported total of coronavirus cases to 3,632, with 2,058 being in Arizona.

Navajo Nation territory spreads across three northern Arizona counties — Coconino, Apache and Navajo — and crosses into Utah and New Mexico.

“Our federal partners need to understand that we have a voice in how these parks impact our communities,” Nez said. “We welcome the economic benefits that tourists bring, but we are also fearful of the potential negative impacts and had hoped that when the Grand Canyon closed on April 1, the park would remain closed until our positive COVID-19 numbers have flattened.”

The National Park Service announced Wednesday that select viewpoints at the South Rim of the Grand Canyon will begin to reopen for limited day use starting Friday. Overnight accommodations remain closed.

The South Rim entrance at the Grand Canyon will allow visitors to enter from Friday to Monday from 6 a.m. to 10 a.m. The park is free to visitors.

By 7:30 a.m. Friday, more than two dozen people were already taking in some of the viewpoints along the South Rim.

The National Park Service says it is working with federal, state and local public health authorities to closely monitor the pandemic and using a phased approach to increase access to its parks.

The Sierra Club also cited the Navajo Nation in its criticism of the reopening. Alicyn Gitlin of the Sierra Club’s Grand Canyon Chapter said it could result in a “patrolling and enforcement nightmare.”

In order to help curb the spread of coronavirus in the community, Navajo Nation extended its state of emergency and the closure of tribal government offices until June 7.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

We want to hear from you.

Have a story idea or tip? Pass it along to the KTAR News team here.

Arizona News

weekend traffic advisory feb. 7-10...

Kevin Stone

Latest Valley freeway advisory includes significant closures on I-10, I-17

The Valley freeway advisory for this weekend includes another major closure on Interstate 10.

43 minutes ago

Antwaun Ware received a life sentence for killing Jasmine Dunbar in 2018....

Kevin Stone

Man who killed woman, left baby on side of West Valley road in 2018 gets life sentence

A man who killed his ex-girlfriend and abandoned her baby on the side of a West Valley road in 2018 was sentenced to life in prison.

3 hours ago

Silver Alert issued for 68-year-old man last seen in Phoenix...

Serena O'Sullivan

Silver Alert canceled after missing 68-year-old Valley man returns home

A Silver Alert was canceled after a missing 68-year-old man named Gregory Wascher who was last seen on Wednesday returned home on Friday.

5 hours ago

APS energy customers will soon see another rate increase....

Kevin Stone

Here’s why APS energy customers will soon see another rate increase

APS energy customers will soon see another rate increase after state regulators signed off on a proposed adjustment this week.

5 hours ago

A man died after being pulled from a house fire in Phoenix's Arcadia neighborhood on Friday morning...

Kevin Stone

Man dead after house fire in Phoenix’s Arcadia neighborhood

A man died after being pulled from a house fire in Phoenix's Arcadia neighborhood on Friday morning, authorities said.

6 hours ago

off-road vehicle crash...

Kevin Stone

1 teen killed, another seriously injured in off-road vehicle crash at Phoenix canal

One teenager was killed and another was seriously injured in an off-road vehicle crash at a Phoenix canal on Thursday evening, authorities said.

7 hours ago

Sponsored Articles

...

Collins Comfort Masters

Collins Comfort Masters: Your go-to plumbing experts in Arizona

Collins Comfort Masters, a trusted name in HVAC, water and plumbing since 1985, is you go-to plumbers for the residents of Phoenix and the Valley.

...

The UPS Store

How The UPS Store is giving back to the community

PHOENIX -- As 2024 nears a close, The UPS Store is looking to give back to the Arizona community with the holiday season approaching.

...

Day & Night Air Conditioning, Heating and Plumbing

Why a Heating Tune-Up is Essential Before Winter

PHOENIX, AZ — With cooler weather on the horizon, making sure your heating system is prepped and ready can make all the difference in staying comfortable this winter.

Navajo Nation unhappy about Grand Canyon reopening due to COVID-19 risk