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- By Native News Online Staff
WINDOW ROCK, Ariz. – On Sunday, the Navajo Department of Health issued Public Health Emergency Order No. 2020-021, rescinding the "Stay at Home" (shelter-in-place) order and implementing a "Safe at Home" public health order. The order further reinstates the requirements for "drive-in" gatherings, the daily and weekend curfew hours, from 9:00 p.m. (MDT) to 5:00 a.m. (MDT). It also states that the Navajo Nation's roads remain closed to visitors and tourists for the duration of the declared public health emergency.
"The public health order does not require individuals to stay home, but we continue to encourage Navajo residents to limit their travels and leave their place of residence only for emergencies or perform essential activities and errands. We all play an important role in keeping the number of COVID-19 cases low. As the Navajo Nation is taking small and responsible steps to reopen the economy in a phased approach that is data-driven, it is important to stay alert and prepared to protect ourselves and others," Navajo Nation President Jonathan Nez said.
The order states that "Drive-in" gatherings include parking lots with hotspot areas, religious services, funeral services, graduations, and other events, with the following guidelines:
- Participants must remain in their vehicles for the entire event
- All vehicle occupants must be from the same household
- Participants must maintain a six-feet distance from other vehicles
- Organizers and participants must wear face masks
- No more than 10 people in public restrooms
- Ensure access to handwashing station, sanitizers, or gloves
- Clean and disinfect high-touch surfaces
On Sunday, the Navajo Department of Health, in coordination with the Navajo Epidemiology Center and the Navajo Area Indian Health Service, reported 24 new positive COVID-19 cases for the Navajo Nation and no recent deaths. The total number of deaths has reached 480 as of Sunday. 6,970 individuals have recovered from COVID-19 and 88,461 COVID-19 tests have been administered. The total number of COVID-19 positive cases is 9,447 and negative tests total 74,260.
Navajo Nation COVID-19 positive cases by Service Unit:
- Chinle Service Unit: 2,280
- Crownpoint Service Unit: 785
- Ft. Defiance Service Unit: 736
- Gallup Service Unit: 1,518
- Kayenta Service Unit: 1,293
- Shiprock Service Unit: 1,475
- Tuba City Service Unit: 907
- Winslow Service Unit: 449
* Four residences with COVID-19 positive cases are not specific enough to place them accurately in a Service Unit.
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