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The Navajo Nation announced Tuesday it will implement three more 56-hour weekends of lockdowns to slow the spread of COVID-19. This lockdown will intervene with the Halloween traditions of trick-or-treating.
The weekend lockdowns will run 9 p.m. Fridays to 5 a.m. Mondays through the end of the month.
The Navajo Nation also adjusted the weekday lockdown hours, which will runfrom 9 p.m. to 5 a.m. This is an hour less than the previous daily lockdown hours, which were from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m.
On Tuesday, the Navajo Health Department reported nine new COVID-19 positive cases for the Navajo Nation and no recent deaths.
“Today’s number of new cases is low, but that doesn’t mean that we should let up or that the spread of the virus has stopped,” said Navajo Nation PresidentJonathan Nez in a statement. “It means that we need to be strong and continue fighting this modern-day monster in order to protect our elders, children, first responders, those with underlying conditions, and many others.”
In total, 571 people in the Navajo Nation have died form COVID-19, and 10,737 have tested positive, according to the Navajo Department of Health.
The lockdown will occur through the weekend of Halloween. In a town hall meeting on Tuesday, Nez made a case for the dangers of exchanging items, like candy, during the pandemic.
“Halloween does fall on Saturday, so that would fall into the lockdown,” said Nez. “Before you buy candy or get prepared for Halloween, there is going to be a lockdown during that time, so there are other activities you can do at home with the children.”
Nez said leaders were working on hosting a virtual event for the children on Halloween, to replace their expectations of trick-or-treating.
Traveling for essential activities including farming, tending to livestock, and wood hauling are allowed with a permit, Nez said.
Anyone who violates the curfews risks being issued criminal nuisance citations that could include a fine of up to $1,000 or 30 days in jail, officials previously announced.
Non-residents traveling through the Navajo Nation during the weekend curfews could also be cited; however, most have been given a warning, according to Navajo Police Department spokesperson Christina Tsosie. She said the outcome varied by situation.
Nez during the town hall said officers were “stretched thin” and asked for people to talk to their family and friends about adhering to the lockdowns instead of calling police.
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Reach breaking news reporter Katelyn Keenehan at [email protected] or follow her on Twitter @KatelynKeenehan.
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