The Navajo Nation issued the following announcement on June 3
WHEREAS:
I. The President of the Navajo Nation serves as the Chief Executive Officer for the Executive Branch of the Navajo Nation government with full authority to conduct, supervise, and coordinate personnel and program matters. 2.N.N.C. § 1005 (A);
2. The President shall have the power to issue an executive order for the purpose of interpreting, implementing or giving administrative effect to statutes of the Navajo Nation in the manner set forth in such statutes. 2.N.N.C. §I 005 (C)(14);
3. With the concurrence of the President of the Navajo Nation, the Emergency Management Commission shall have the power to declare a state of emergency affecting the Navajo Nation and to obtain, coordinate and oversee assistance, whether in the form of goods, services, equipment, motor vehicles, or personnel, from all Divisions, Departments and Enterprises of the avajo ation for use in addressing
4. The Emergency Management Commission declared an emergency due to the confirmation of the coronavirus disease (COYlD-1 9) in regional areas surrounding the Navajo Nation. 2 N.N.C. § 884(B)(l), See Emergency Management Commission resolutions CEM 20-03-11;
5. An Executive Order shall have the force of law upon the recipient. 2 .N.C. § 1005(C)(l4).
THEREFORE:
I, Jonathan ez, President of the Navajo Nation and I, Myron Lizer, Vice President of the Navajo Nation, by the authority vested in us, hereby issue the following order:
I. With the Declaration of a State of Emergency by the Emergency Management Commission, CEM 20-03-11 , and Public Health Emergency Orders No. 2020-003, No. 2020-004, o. 2020-005, No. 2020-006, No. 2020-007, o. 2020-008, No. 2020-09, No. 2020-10, No. 2020-11 , and No. 2020-12 (see www.ndoh.navajo-nsn.gov/COVID- .12.) the public health state of emergency affecting the Navajo Nation citizens and residents due to confirmation of the spread of the COVID-19 virus in and surrounding the Navajo Nation is extended, as such:
a. The Navajo Nation Health Command Operations Center shall continue to be staffed throughout the emergency condition under the direction of David Nez, Health Command Center Manager
b. The Navajo Department of Emergency Management Emergency Operation Center
c. All Navajo Nation Branches, Divisions, Departments, programs, offices, nongovernance certified Chapters, Enterprises, and Navajo casinos shall comply with and adhere to directives, instructions, and/or policies coming from the Navajo Health Command Operations Center as related to addressing COVID-19.
2. The avajo Nation previously issued travel restrictions due to COVID-19 which restricted or canceled all off-reservation travel, directing all Navajo Nation employees to return from current off-reservation travel, and subsequently, closing government offices with only limited services which remain in effect. However, the COVID-19 virus continues to spread throughout the Navajo Nation at an alarming rate. The action of the Navajo ation and surrounding States, restricting large gatherings and closure of government offices, has had effect on the spread of COVID-19 but not to the level to affect the spread on the Navajo Nation, as such:
a. All Navajo Nation government offices and enterprises shall remain closed to minimize the spread of the corona virus disease. This closure shall extend from June 8, 2020 to July 5, 2020 and only Essential Employees, as determined by respective Division Directors or enterprise management, shall report to their respective worksites.
Essential Employees means employees that are necessary to maintain basic, direct government or enterprise services either working in their office or telecommuting. Division Directors and enterprise management shall arrange daily work schedules for Essential Employees that ensure a safe work environment and shall supply necessary office equipment for telecommuting employees.
Essential Employees shall include those employees from, but not limited to, Navajo Public Safety, Navajo Fire Department, Navajo Emergency Medical Services, Department of Emergency Management, Navajo Division of Natural Resources, Navajo Division of Finance, Navajo Division of Social Services, avajo Division of Human Services, Navajo Division of Community Development, Department of Dine Education, Office of Management and Budget, Navajo Department of Justice,
Navajo Department of Health, Navajo Division of General Services, Navajo Division of Transportation, Navajo Veterans Administration, Navajo Division of Economic Development, Navajo Environmental Protection Agency, Navajo-Hopi Land Commission Office, Navajo Nation Washington Office, Navajo Telecommunications Regulatory Commission Office, Navajo Enterprises, and those determined by the Branch Chiefs; and,
b. All Non-Essential Navajo Nation government employees, as determined by the Division Director, affected by this Executive Order shall be granted Administrative Leave for the duration of the closure and are expected to refrain from events, gatherings, or other areas where they rna y contract CO VID-19, and to observe and follow all Public Health Emergency Orders; and,
c. The closure of Navajo Nation government offices may be extended beyond July 5, 2020 on the recommendation of the Navajo Health Command Operations Center, the Navajo Department of Emergency Management Operation Center, and the Navajo Epidemiology Center.
3. All Navajo Nation Divisions, Depmtments, 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 hours of8:00 P.M. and 5:00A.M. MDT and complying with weekend or other curfew hours.
The Navajo Nation Divisions, Departments, Programs, Offices, non-governance certified Chapters, Enterprises, and Navajo casinos are responsible for implementing and ensuring compliance with this order.
The provisions of this order shall be implemented consistent with the laws of the Navajo Nation and in a manner that advances the highest welfare of the People.'
EXECUTED this 3 rd day of June 2020
Original source can be found here.
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