![](https://indianz.com/covid19/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Glove-delivery.jpg)
Photo courtesy Navajo Division of Transportation
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
NAVAJO DOT CONTINUES OPERATIONS AS AN ESSENTIAL DIVISION
TSE BONITO, N.M.-During the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency, the Navajo Division of Transportation (Navajo DOT) is utilizing a limited number of essential staff to continue specific projects and road maintenance.
“The safety of our employees remains a top priority and because of which, it has been necessary for our division to let its elder and more at-risk employees self-isolate during this reduction to essential staffing,” said Garret Silversmith, Executive Director of the Navajo DOT. “Navajo DOT is prioritizing available funding to keep Federal Highway Administration and Navajo Road Fund projects moving forward while exercising caution to protect Navajo DOT employees.”
The division also continues to provide road maintenance throughout all Navajo Agencies but with reduced presence.
As an essential division, Navajo DOT has been assisting the Navajo Nation Law Enforcement with COVID-19 informational checkpoints that have taken place throughout the Navajo Nation.
“Our division is pleased to assist the Office of the President and Vice President (OPVP), Navajo Nation Law Enforcement and the Navajo Health Command Operation Center (HCOC),” Silversmith said. “We’ve temporarily reassigned highly skilled staff members to assist the HCOC and we’re also assisting with the transportation, delivery and unloading of supplies and materials for those in need.”
Navajo DOT encourages the Navajo people to shelter-in-place and only leave home for essential business. The division thanks all local, county, state and federal agencies who are assisting the Navajo Nation in this health emergency.
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