NAVAJO NATION, AZ — The curfew for people on the Navajo Nation is being extended several more weeks.
On Tuesday, Navajo Nation President Jonathan Nez and Vice President Myron Lizer issued an Executive Order, extending the declaration of a state of emergency and extending the closure of Navajo Nation government offices and related entities until May 17, to help slow and reduce the spread of COVID-19 on the Navajo Nation.
The previous Executive Order was set to expire on April 26.
The Navajo Police Department issued 179 citations during the second 57-hour weekend curfew.
Police say they issued 108 citations directly related to the curfew, and 71 for traffic violations. The citation numbers are the preliminary totals from six out of the seven police districts.
"The Navajo Police Department traffic enforcement team took the helms of this weekend's curfew operations by coordinating four roadblocks and saturation patrols in both the western and eastern areas of the Navajo Nation while district departments coordinated PSA checkpoints in communities and also conducted saturation patrol throughout the weekend," a Navajo PD spokesperson said in a press release.
The weekend operation was managed by the traffic enforcement team doing roadblocks on major road corridors while the district offices organized community PSAs and saturation patrol.
The Department's numbers during the curfew are as follows:
- Tuba City, Arizona – 48 citations
- Kayenta, Arizona – 6 citations
- Dilkon, Arizona – 6 citations
- Chinle, Arizona – 2 citations
- Shiprock, New Mexico – 7 citations
- Crownpoint, New Mexico – 31 citations
“As far as patrol, our officers were out there doing their job and issuing these citations. Although there was an increase in traffic from the previous weekend, this could be partially due to families getting stimulus checks and in need of supplies,” Chief Francisco said in a statement.
Officials say they are seeing an increase in traffic throughout the week during non-curfew times.
“We continue to ask the public to keep their safety in mind by adhering to the health orders and to wear a face mask when out in public. In addition, we continue to discourage the public from traveling unless otherwise for essential needs.” Chief Francisco said in a statement.
