- Details
- By Levi Rickert
WINDOW ROCK, Ariz. — While many parts of the country are beginning to reopen to business, the Navajo Nation will be on a 57-hour curfew this Memorial Day weekend with businesses closed.With the Navajo Nation having the highest per capita COVID-19 cases, more than any of the 50 states, the leadership find it necessary to keep the hard measures in place on the country's largest Indian reservation.
The Navajo Department of Health in coordination with the Navajo Epidemiology Center and the Navajo Area Indian Health Service reported 95 new cases of COVID-19 for the Navajo Nation. The total number of deaths has reached 149 as of Friday. Preliminary reports from a few health care facilities indicate that approximately 1,235 individuals have recovered from COVID-19, with more reports still pending. The total number of positive COVID-19 cases for the Navajo Nation has reached 4,529.
The Navajo Nation’s 57-hour weekend lockdown is set to take effect at 8:00 p.m. on Friday through Monday, which includes the closure of all businesses to deter traveling and to keep people home and safe from the COVID-19 virus.
“The Navajo Nation is testing our citizens at a very high rate per capita, more so than any state in the country. Over 14-percent of the people living on the Navajo Nation have been tested and that’s why we have a high number of positive cases. We’re doing our best to flatten the curve, so let’s think of the health and safety of others and stay home this weekend. Stay home, stay safe, save lives,” Navajo Nation President Jonathan Nez said on Friday evening.
The Navajo Nation’s 57-hour weekend lockdown requires all residents to remain at home except essential workers, first responders, and health care workers. Essential businesses, including stores, gas stations, restaurants, drive-thru food establishments, hay vendors, and other vendors, shall cease all operations during the lockdown.
For more information including reports, helpful prevention tips, and more resources, please visit the Navajo Department of Health’s COVID-19 website at http://www.ndoh.navajo-nsn.gov/COVID-19. To contact the main Navajo Health Command Operations Center, please call (928) 871-7014.
_________________________________________________________________
To Donate to the Navajo Nation
The official webpage for donations to the Navajo Nation, which has further details on how to support the Nation’s Dikos Ntsaaígíí-19 (COVID-19) efforts is: http://www.nndoh.org/donate.html.
_________________________________________________________________
For More Information
For more information including reports, helpful prevention tips, and more resources, please visit the Navajo Department of Health’s COVID-19 website at http://www.ndoh.navajo-nsn.
For up to date information on impact the coronavirus pandemic is having in the United States and around the world go to: https://www.worldometers.info/coronavirus/country/us/?fbclid=IwAR1vxfcHfMBnmTFm6hBICQcdbV5aRnMimeP3hVYHdlxJtFWdKF80VV8iHgE
For up-to-date information about COVID-19, Native News Online encourages you to go to Indian Health Service’s COVID-19 webpage and review CDC’s COVID-19 webpage.
More Stories Like This
Native News Weekly (August 25, 2024): D.C. BriefsUS Presidents in Their Own Words Concerning American Indians
Native News Weekly (August 4, 2024): D.C. Briefs
United Indian Nations of Oklahoma Applauds Historic Veto Override to Strengthen MMIP Response
Native American Voters in North Dakota Urge Eighth Circuit to Reinstate Voting Rights and Fair Maps
Can we take a minute to talk about tribal sovereignty?
Our mission draws from the warrior spirit that has sustained Indigenous peoples for generations — the same spirit that drives us to stand guard over tribal rights through relentless investigation and fearless reporting.
Sovereignty isn't just a concept – it's the foundation of Native nations' right to govern, protect our lands, and preserve our cultures. Every story we publish strengthens tribal sovereignty.
Unlike mainstream media, we center Indigenous voices and report directly from Native communities. When we cover land rights, water protection, or tribal governance, we're not just sharing news – we're documenting our living history and defending our future.
Our journalism is powered by readers, not shareholders. If you believe in the importance of Native-led media in protecting tribal sovereignty, consider supporting our work today.
