Navajo Nation tightens weekend curfew to halt coronavirus outbreak

PHOENIX — Residents of the Navajo Nation are facing increased restrictions while in the midst of their second 57-hour weekend curfew to halt the spread of the coronavirus.

The Navajo Department of Health issued an emergency health order for the reservation on Thursday, extending the weekend curfew through the end of April and closing some businesses deemed essential during the weekend curfew.

Residents of the Navajo Nation, including non-tribal members, can not leave their homes except in the case of an emergency, from dusk Friday until early Monday. Individuals may go outside but remain in the immediate area of their home.

Under the health order, drive-through restaurants must close and roadside vendors are forced to cease operations during the weekend curfew.

Gas stations and grocery stores may continue to operate, but under limited hours and must restrict the number of people inside.

The curfew does not apply to employees of essential businesses that will remain in operation on the weekend. Employees are required to have documentation from their employer.

The Navajo Nation is also ordering all people on the tribe’s vast reservation to wear protective masks when out in public to help fight the spread of the coronavirus.

President Jonathan Nez said all residents should either buy or make masks to comply with the order and tribal officials would consider even more aggressive requirements to curb the coronavirus.

“Some individuals think we’re using scare tactics or extreme measures, but we are losing lives here on the Navajo Nation and I’m going to do everything I can to help save lives,” Nez said in a statement on Friday.

Coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms for most people, such as fever and cough that clear up in two to three weeks. For some, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, it can cause more severe illness, including pneumonia and death.

The Navajo Nation — located in parts of Arizona, New Mexico and Utah — reported an additional 85 positive cases of the coronavirus on Friday, bringing the total to 1,127 with 44 deaths.

Most of the cases on the Navajo Nation are located in Arizona, with Navajo County, Apache County and Coconino County making up 687 positive tests of the coronavirus.

The coronavirus has hit the Navajo Nation harder than any other Native American tribe.

Nez said tribal officials would “continue to consider even more aggressive requirements to help bring the numbers down.”

Navajo police are enforcing the curfew with citations that may include a fine up to $1,000 or 30 days in jail.

Last weekend, Navajo police issued approximately 119 citations for individuals who violated the curfew, according to a press release.

In addition to the weekend curfews, daily curfews between 8 p.m. and 5 a.m. remain in effect on the Navajo Nation.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Follow @KTAR923