Urgent Message from the Administration

March 31, 2020

Greetings Community Members,
I hope this letter finds you and your families safe and well. This letter serves as official notice that the Pueblo of San Felipe Tribal Administration is making every effort to contain the COVID-19/Coronavirus spread within our tribal community.

On March 31, 2020, the Tribal Administration declared a State of Emergency strongly urging members of our community to take precautionary measures including adhering to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) guidelines such as frequent handwashing, cleaning and disinfecting all “high-touch surfaces”; prohibiting the vending of homemade food items; restriction of out-of-state travel, and limiting travel outside the Pueblo lands.

It is our duty to inform the community that as of Tuesday, March 31, 2020, there are now 3 confirmed cases of COVID-19 within our Pueblo. In light of the confirmed positive cases of COVID-19 in our community, and the Tribal Administration’s wish to provide additional guidance and direction to community members to mitigate the health crisis and guard, please be advised of the following:

As Governor of the Pueblo of San Felipe, I hereby issue a strict Stay-At-Home Order for all Pueblo residents, effective immediately until April 30, 2020.

1. With this declaration of a public health emergency, all Pueblo of San Felipe tribal members shall comply with and adhere to directives, instructions, and/or policies from the Administration and the Pueblo of San Felipe Health and Wellness Department and from federal agencies relating to addressing COVID-19.
2. With this declaration of a public health emergency, all Pueblo of San Felipe tribal programs and operations will be closed until further notice.  If tribal members need any type of assistance from any tribal program or in need of food sources, please contact (505) 867-3381
3. The Pueblo of San Felipe will continue to restrict out of state travel as was previously instructed to all San Felipe Pueblo Government employees. All tribal members of the Pueblo of San Felipe and others living on the Pueblo’s tribal lands are also to restrict travel out of state or travel into nearby cities/towns.
4. The Pueblo of San Felipe will restrict the movement of Tribal members out of the Pueblo boundaries. Exceptions will only be made for travel to purchase required items such as food, water, hygiene items, diapers, formula, laundry services, medical appointments and required prescription medications, etc. No other unnecessary travel out of the Pueblo will be permitted.
5. The Pueblo of San Felipe will restrict outside visitors to the Pueblo unless those non-tribal members are employed by the Pueblo or are medical and emergency personnel.
6. Members of the Pueblo are directed to self-isolate in their homes. Limit contact with people outside of your immediate household, limit contact to only those who live within your home.
7. A curfew for all tribal members living within the boundaries of San Felipe Pueblo will be implemented for the Pueblo starting immediately at 8:00 p.m. until 8:00 a.m. through April 30, 2020.
8. All entry/exit points of the Pueblo will be closed, only those individuals identified as essential staff or those needing to make food purchase or similar will be allowed to leave the area.
9. No further utilization of all outdoor recreation facilities to include the soccer field, basketball courts, and playgrounds.
10. All upcoming Tribal Events are suspended:
    • No Palm Sunday Mass or feeding for Rama name day.
    • No Visitation of Godparents or Godchildren during Holy Week.
    • No traditional feeding by Governors or Fiscales on Holy Thursday and Good Friday.
    • No Easter Sunday Church Services
    • No family gatherings on Easter Sunday.  No Easter Egg hunts.
    • No traditional dances during Easter week.
    • No mass gatherings.

We trust you agree on the importance of containing the situation and ensure the safety of all members by
adhering to the new orders.

Respectfully,
Governor Anthony Ortiz, Lt. Governor Delbert Sanchez, Fiscale Robert Garcia & Lt. Fiscale Mark Calabaza

San Felipe Pueblo: https://sfpueblo.com