Window Rock, Ariz. • Navajo Nation officials cited a declining number of new COVID-19 cases and other improving conditions as they announced a new public health order that will allow a “soft reopening” of some businesses under certain restrictions.
However, the daily curfew for residents of the tribe’s reservation from 9 p.m. to 5 a.m. will remain in effect under a separate new health order, officials announced Wednesday night.
Both orders will take effect Monday.
Officials cited testing availability, hospital capacity and contact tracing in addition to the decrease in new cases as factors in the transition to a status allowing some businesses to reopen under restrictions that include capacity limits.
“This is not a full reopening as some states are doing. Instead, this is a carefully-crafted soft reopening that includes specific guidelines to continue helping to reduce the spread of COVID-19 while allowing more businesses to reopen at no more than 25% capacity along with strict provisions, said Navajo Nation President Jonathan Nez.
Earlier Wednesday, the tribe reported 13 additional COVID-19 cases and one more death.
The latest numbers pushed the tribe’s pandemic totals to 29,900 confirmed cases and 1,205 known deaths.
The tribe’s vast reservation stretches across parts of Arizona, New Mexico and Utah.