Navajo Nation extends stay-at-home order, lifts weekend lockdowns

PHOENIX — The Navajo Nation extended its stay-at-home order Thursday, but lifted weekend lockdowns to allow for more coronavirus vaccination events.

“By lifting the 57-hour weekend lockdown, our health care facilities on the Navajo Nation will be able to administer more COVID-19 vaccines on the weekends,” Navajo Nation President Jonathan Nez said in a press release.

“Our goal is to vaccinate as many of our people as possible and this helps with that effort.”

Going into effect on Monday and lasting through at least Feb. 15, the stay-at-home lockdown requires all residents to remain at home 24 hours a day, seven days a week, with the exception of essential workers, an emergency situation or to obtain food, medication or supplies.

A daily curfew is also in effect from 9 p.m. until 5 a.m. seven days a week, with essential businesses being allowed to operate from 7 a.m. until 8 p.m.

Essential businesses include gas stations, grocery stores, convenience stores, hardware stores, laundromats, restaurants, food establishments, banks and similar financial institutions, and hay vendors as long as they comply with provisions in the order.

The Navajo Nation on Thursday reported 166 new coronavirus cases and seven more deaths, bringing the totals to 26,782 infections and 940 fatalities since the pandemic began.

All residents are required to wear a mask in public and officials are asking people to avoid gathering with individuals outside the immediate household, maintain physical distancing and use curb-side and drive-through services to help stop the spread of the virus.

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