Parks and roads within the Navajo Nation could reopen to visitors as early as Thursday of this week as a result of a resolution signed by Navajo Nation leadership on Tuesday.

Resolution CJN-36-21 signed by Navajo Nation President Jonathan Nez and Vice President Myron Lizer Tuesday lifts several COVID-19 restrictions and allows the Navajo Nation parks to reopen at 50% capacity.

“Today’s signing of this resolution signifies the strength and resilience of the Navajo people throughout this COVID-19 pandemic,” President Nez said in a statement.

“Our gating measures and data show a consistent downward trend in new cases and deaths related to COVID-19,” the statement continued, “and we have a large majority of our Navajo Nation residents fully vaccinated.”

Resolution CJN-36-21 was approved by the 24th Navajo Nation Council on June 25 and rescinds eight resolutions put in place at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. Those resolutions closed Navajo Nation roads to visitors and tourists, opposed in-person school instruction, allowed certain subcommittees to meet via telecommunication methods, and temporarily reduced chapter meeting quorum requirements.

The new resolution allows Navajo Nation parks to reopen at 50% capacity with safety protocols in place. It also directs schools on the Navajo Nation to reopen for in-person instruction “in accordance with a safety plan that is required to be submitted to the Department of Dine Education,” the statement said. 

Visitors to Navajo Nation parks and businesses will still be required to wear a mask while in public. 

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