Navajo Nation lifting some COVID-19 restrictions; mask mandate remains
Jul 7, 2021, 7:59 AM
Navajo Nation officials remove a closure sign after allowing tribal parks to reopen at 50% capacity on July 6, 2021. (Facebook Photo/Navajo Nation President Jonathan Nez and Vice President Myron Lizer)
(Facebook Photo/Navajo Nation President Jonathan Nez and Vice President Myron Lizer)
WINDOW ROCK, Ariz. (AP) — Navajo Nation President Jonathan Nez signed legislation Tuesday to rescind an order that closed the reservation to outside visitors.
It lifts several COVID-19 restrictions that will allow tribal parks to reopen at 50% capacity with safety protocols in place as early as Thursday and also allow schools to eventually reopen under a required safety plan.
The Navajo Department of Health will issue a new Public Health Emergency Order on Wednesday, outlining safety protocols and requirements for reopening.
The mask mandate remains in effect for the entire Navajo Nation.
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“Our gating measures and data show a consistent downward trend in new cases and deaths related to COVID-19, and we have a large majority of our Navajo Nation residents fully vaccinated,” Nez said in a statement. “We continue to meet with our health experts on a regular basis and they support the reopening of parks to our residents and our visitors.”
The Navajo Nation’s vast reservation covers parts of Arizona, New Mexico and Utah.
