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Navajo Nation extends closing of tribal government to May 17

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Posted at 10:20 AM, Apr 22, 2020
and last updated 2020-04-22 13:20:33-04

WINDOW ROCK, Ariz. (AP) — The closure of the Navajo Nation’s tribal government because of the coronavirus outbreak is being extended into late May.

Tribal President Jonathan Nez on Wednesday announced that he issued an executive order Tuesday extending the closure of government offices and related facilities to May 17 from the previous expiration date of April 26.

Nez said there’s a “slight flattening of the curve” but there’s still a need to remain vigilant. The tribe has reported 1,206 positive COVID-19 cases and 48 known deaths as of Tuesday.

However, officials said the numbers don’t include cases for border towns as was being previously reported by the Navajo Epidemiology Center. The tribe''s reservation includes parts of Arizona, New Mexico and Utah.