WINDOW ROCK, Ariz. – The Navajo Housing Authority will fully resume operational services to the public on Mar. 15 according to a memo issued to NHA employees last week.
“As NHA gradually initiates the re-opening activity to our customers, our preliminary schedule is to open offices to 50 percent customer occupancy starting on Mar.15 so that we can re-launch vital housing services to Navajo Nation communities and government,” said NHA Interim Chief Executive Officer Dwayne Waseta.
The decision follows a Mar. 10 public health order (number 2021-05) announcement issued by the Navajo Nation Office of the President and Vice-President (OPVP) declaring “Orange Status” for businesses across the Navajo Nation.
According to a press release by the OPVP, the Navajo Nation has met all gating measures and indicators to transition to “Orange Status” due to a consistent downward trajectory in new infections of COVID-19, less than 80-percent inpatient hospital and ICU bed usage, and an infection rate of 0.81 over the last seven days, which indicates that the Nation can expect to see fewer cases.
The new provisions for businesses under the “Orange Status” include:
- All businesses will be required to submit a COVID-19 Re-opening Plan to the Navajo Nation Division of Economic Development before reopening in Orange Status. Re-opening plans can be emailed to:
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. . - 25% capacity allowed for most businesses
- Restaurants and Dining facilities: drive-thru and curb-side permissible
- Restaurants with permanent outdoor dining structures may provide outdoor dining at 25% of maximum capacity, as long as social distancing between tables is enforced
- Restaurants without permanent outdoor dining structures are allowed up to 10 outdoor tables (max 4 persons per table), as long as social distancing between tables is enforced
- Personal Care and Services: service by appointment only and allow time for cleaning between appointments
- Marinas and parks: appointment only
- Casinos and video poker: Navajo casinos are allowed to open to Navajo Nation residents and employees only, in accordance with a re-opening and workplace safety plan
- Businesses shall limit operations before 6:00 a.m. (MDT) and after 8:00 p.m. (MDT)
- Not Allowed in Orange Status: youth programs, museums, flea markets, roadside markets, gyms, recreation facilities, movie theaters.
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