the Navajo tribe roughly finished It is one of the longest-running mask mandates in the United States, implemented shortly after the COVID-19 pandemic began almost three years ago.

“Today’s order results in the full reopening of the Navajo Nation,” new Navajo Nation President Buu Nigren said Friday in a joint statement with the Navajo Nation Speakers’ Office.

More than 17 million acres of Navajo land across Arizona, Utah and New Mexico will eliminate the need to wear masks in public, including many tourist destinations.

but order still obligated Early childhood education facilities, primary and secondary schools, nursing homes, health care facilities, and the wearing of masks by people who have symptoms of COVID-19, who have tested positive, or who have been exposed to the virus.

“It’s time for the Navajo people to get back to work,” said Utah-born Nyglen. “Now is the time for them to open a chapterhouse to do business locally and get the services they are looking for.”

He said it is now up to individuals to continue preventative measures, including vaccination against the virus.

“Be responsible,” Nyglen said. “If you test positive, wear a mask. If you notice symptoms or suspect you have been exposed, wear a mask and seek prompt testing. I am much more aware and prepared.”

The order also said the Navajo Nation is now classified as low risk for COVID-19 based on hospitalizations and hospital capacity, and had 81 cases of the new virus in the past week. .

Former Navajo Nation president Jonathan Nez has expressed concern about the new administration’s decision.

“Was it a decision based on Navajo politics or public health? The reason COVID numbers are relatively low compared to areas around the Navajo Nation is largely due to mask mandates. series of tweets.

The former president also said he would “issue a lot of warnings” to lift mask mandates, which have been in place for more than 1,000 days, without releasing detailed data on the spread of the virus.

“I hope the number of COVID, RSV and flu cases does not increase, but if we see a spike in new infections, hospitalizations and deaths, the new administration must be held accountable,” Nez tweeted. bottom.

The Navajo were initially one of the hardest-hit areas in the United States during the pandemic, struggling to contain COVID-19 where many had no access to running water.

But some of the toughest restrictions in the country, including mandatory mask mandates, weekend curfews, bans on public gatherings and business closures, have slowed the spread dramatically and earned a lot of credit. .

Still, with the exception of Oklahoma, the number of positive cases in the Navajo region is higher than in other Indian Health Service regions. The Associated Press reported. A total of more than 2,000 deaths have been linked to COVID-19 in the Navajo Nation.