As the state of Arizona and the Grand Canyon reopen, the Navajo Nation clamps down. The tribe emerged Monday from the strictest weekend curfew yet.
Navajo President Jonathan Nez closed grocery stores and ordered essential workers to stay home. He made the call after a spike of deaths last week. The president says 80% of the tribe is staying home.
“I know we’re getting frustrated because of that 20% that’s out there that’s not listening that’s not abiding to authority,” Nez told a Facebook Live town hall Thursday. “Moms and dads, here’s the time that we need to step up. Don’t let our children control our homes.”
Navajos face fines and jail time, if they leave their homes during nightly and weekend curfews.
Nez urged Interior Secretary David Bernhardt to reconsider opening national parks surrounding the reservation until the number of Navajo infections and deaths flatten.
More than 4,000 people have tested positive for coronavirus and 140 people have died on the Navajo Nation.
