The Navajo Nation Office of the President and Vice President

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 22, 2020

Navajo Nation extends closure of government until May 17 to reduce the spread of COVID-19

WINDOW ROCK, Ariz. — On Tuesday, Navajo Nation President Jonathan Nez and Vice President Myron Lizer issued Executive Order 003-20, extending the declaration of a state of emergency and extending the closure of Navajo Nation government offices and related entities until May 17, to help slow and reduce the spread of COVID-19 on the Navajo Nation. The previous Executive Order was set to expire on April 26. 

“We’re not letting our guard down – now is not the time. We’re seeing a slight flattening of the curve, but we have to remain vigilant. As the leaders of the Navajo Nation, we are doing everything we can to help save as many lives as possible. Government offices will be closed, but essential personnel will continue their duties and essential government functions will continue,” said President Nez. 

The written Order states, “All Navajo Nation Divisions, Departments, Programs, Offices, non-governance certified Chapters, Enterprises, and Navajo casinos shall follow the direction of the Public Health Emergency Orders requiring all Navajo citizens to limit their movement which means staying at home and leaving for Essential Activities only; and comply with the curfew hours by staying home between the house of 8:00 p.m. and 5:00 a.m. MDT and complying with weekend or other curfew hours.”

“The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is now warning the public that there could be a second wave of COVID-19 this coming winter, which could be very devastating combined with the regular flu season. So, we need to remain diligent in practicing social distancing and by remaining home as much as possible. Our frontline warriors are out there fighting to protect and heal us, so let’s stay home for them,” Vice President Lizer stated. 

The Navajo Nation’s shelter-in-place order remains in effect as well as the daily curfew from 8:00 p.m. to 5:00 a.m. The Navajo Nation will also implement another 57-hour weekend curfew beginning on Friday at 8:00 p.m. until Monday at 5:00 a.m. President Nez and Vice President Lizer encourage everyone to prepare for the weekend curfew to ensure they have enough essential items, but to use caution as they prepare and to only send one family member to purchase items.

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.

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