The
United South and Eastern Tribes have canceled their upcoming meeting in Washington, D.C., over concerns about the
coronavirus.
USET's
"Impact Week" was to take place March 16-19 in the nation's capital. But the organization said it wouldn't go forward because more than half of its members have instituted travel restrictions in connection with the
Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19).
"Due to the rapidly increasing concerns related to the Coronavirus [COVID-19] outbreak, as of this communication, over 50% of our Tribal Nation members have notified us that they have issued travel bans, restrictions, and/or are liberally approving staff requests to not travel at this time," USET said on Monday.
The annual meeting attracts dozens of tribal leaders, representing 30 Indian nations from Maine to Florida to Texas. Attendees were expected to hear from
senior members of the Trump administration, as well as key members of Congress.
"As previously communicated, the health and wellness of our members and meeting participants is of top priority concern," USET said. "With over half of our membership notifying us that they will not be in attendance, we will not be able to conduct our business, and therefore it makes no sense to have others travel in and jeopardize their wellness unnecessarily."
USET is instead hoping to host a meeting in D.C. in late September. It will be followed in October by the organization's annual meeting, which is being hosted by the Tunica-Biloxi Tribe in Louisiana.
USET, headquartered in Nashville, Tennessee, celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2019. The organization was founded in 1969.
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