{"id":15272,"date":"2021-09-30T11:48:49","date_gmt":"2021-09-30T15:48:49","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.indianz.com\/covid19\/?p=15272"},"modified":"2021-09-30T11:48:49","modified_gmt":"2021-09-30T15:48:49","slug":"navajo-nation-council-arizona-new-mexico-utah-41","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/indianz.com\/covid19\/2021\/09\/30\/navajo-nation-council-arizona-new-mexico-utah-41\/","title":{"rendered":"Navajo Nation Council (Arizona, New Mexico, Utah)"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"navajonation\"

The San Francisco Peaks of Arizona can be seen in the background of a COVID-19 sign on the Navajo Nation. Photo courtesy Navajo Nation Council<\/p><\/div>\n

Navajo Nation Mandates COVID-19 Vaccinations for all Government Employees<\/h2>\n

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: September 29, 2021<\/p>\n

Source: Navajo Nation Council<\/a><\/p>\n

WINDOW ROCK, Arizona \u2014 The 24th Navajo Nation Council has passed Legislation No. 0178-21 which requires COVID-19 vaccinations for all Navajo Nation government employees. By a vote of 12 in favor and 6 opposed, the bill also urges all Navajo-owned enterprises, authorities, corporations, businesses, schools, and entities operating within Navajo Nation boundaries to promptly adopt COVID-19 vaccination requirements.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe are doing all we can to bring an end to COVID-19 and to protect the lives of our children, mothers, fathers, elders, and relatives. Now is the time we fight against this virus with a vaccine. This law moves us forward as a stronger Navajo Nation. We are in this together,\u201d said Speaker Seth Damon (Ba\u0301a\u0301haali\u0301, Chichiltah, Manuelito, Red Rock, Rock Springs, Tse\u0301yatoh).<\/p>\n

Back in August, President Jonathan Nez exercised his executive authority by issuing Executive Order No. 007-2021 which mandates vaccinations for tribal employees.<\/p>\n

\u201cI sponsored this legislation because it was a health emergency for the Navajo people. Our families are resilient and we will overcome this pandemic. One life lost is one too many,\u201d said Delegate Eugene Tso (Chinle), who received his third booster shot this week.<\/p>\n

A special session was held on August 26, 2021, and the legislation was certified on August 31, by Speaker Seth Damon. Following the 10-day period that expired on September 10, President Nez did not exercise his authority to sign into law or veto the legislation. This immediately established the vaccination requirement for all Navajo Nation employees.<\/p>\n

Legislation No. 0178-21 requires the following:<\/p>\n