The capital of the Navajo Nation is located in Window Rock, Arizona, named for its famed natural feature. Photo: Ben FrantzDale

The Navajo Nation 

Office of the President and Vice President

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 6, 2021

Navajo Department of Health announces graduation and promotion guidelines for schools to implement to help protect against COVID-19

WINDOW ROCK, Ariz. – On Thursday, the Navajo Department of Health announced the Navajo Nation graduation and promotion guidelines that require all schools to follow certain protocols to help reduce the risk of transmitting COVID-19 from person to person. All schools are also required to clearly communicate all requirements and guidelines to students, parents, and their families.

The guidelines allow for limited in-person outdoor graduation events for high school (seniors only) and college/university graduates. Only virtual/live-streamed or drive-thru graduation events are allowed for all other grade levels. The Navajo Nation graduation and promotion guidelines are available on the Navajo Department of Health website at: https://www.ndoh.navajo-nsn.gov/Portals/0/PDF/RES/Graduation%20and%20Promotion%20Event%20Guidelines%20for%20NDOH%20PHEO%202021-010%20FINAL%205.6.2021.pdf

“We understand that this is a very special occasion for graduates, their families, and for the schools. Last year, all in-person graduation ceremonies were prohibited because of the outbreak of COVID-19. Now that we have well over half of the adult population fully vaccinated, our public health experts have developed requirements and protocols for schools, students, and families to follow. We ask that each school comply with all requirements and guidelines to reduce the risk of COVID-19 transmission. All schools are also encouraged to provide families and the public the option to watch graduation ceremonies online as well. I congratulate all of our graduates across the Navajo Nation and wish you and your families a safe and enjoyable graduation,” said NavajoNation President Jonathan Nez. 

For in-person outdoor high school and college/university graduation events:

• Graduation events must be held outdoors, no indoor events are allowed
• Events should only last two hours or less
• Face masks are required to be worn by all attendees at all times
• Each graduation event is limited to 50 or less graduates (multiple events may be held at separate times, at least 2-hours apart, to accommodate graduating classes larger than 50)
• School administrative staff attendance is not to exceed 40 or more
• Each graduate is allowed to have 1 to 4 guests and not to exceed 100 guests
• All attendees must pre-register to avoid on-site sign-in sheets, only those who pre-register will be allowed to attend in-person
• All attendees must be self-screened for COVID-19 symptoms using Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines
• Attendees can be screened for fever and COVID-19 symptoms before attending
• Guests/families that live in the same home may sit together, but each family group from separate households must be seated at least six-feet apart; schools are to provide visual markers to designate seating areas for each family
• Schools must maintain a record of all attendees for at least 30 days to assist with contact tracing. Information collected must include: name, date, phone number and email (if available). If a potential case of COVID-19 is associated with the graduation or promotion event that occurs, this information must be provided within 24 hours, if requested, to contact tracers from federal (Indian Health Service) or Tribal health organizations. Seating charts must be provided. 
• Graduates are to be seated at least six-feet apart from each other and all guests
• Diplomas are to be passed with no handshakes and no person-to-person contact
• Presenters and speakers may remove masks if they are at least 10-feet away from others. If singing or chanting is planned, performers need to be staged a minimum of 10 feet away from others while outdoors. Discourage audience members from yelling and other practices that may increase the likelihood of transmission from droplets. 
• Graduates may remove masks for a professional photograph after receiving their diplomas. The individual must put their mask back on immediately after the photograph is taken. Graduates shall not remove their masks while standing in procession lines. Schools are encouraged to set up a designated area for photos to encourage physically distancing. 
• Clean and disinfecthigh-touch surfaces including microphones 
• Consider separate entrances and exits to the venue with one-way flow 
• No food or drinks distributed during graduation events, except for bottled water
• No food/drink concession stands allowed
• Pre-packaged food/drinks may be distributed via drive-thru at a separate designated location to consume in vehicles or at home 

For all other grade levels (kindergarten on up):

• Only virtual/live-streamed, drive-thru, car parade, or drive-in graduation events are allowed
• Only virtual/live-streamed is permitted for Head Start graduates
• One vehicle per household for each graduate for drive-thru, car parade, drive-in graduation events
• No food or drinks distributed during graduation events, except for bottled water
• No food/drink concession stands allowed
• Pre-packaged food/drinks may be distributed via drive-thru at a separate designated location to consume in vehicles or at home 

The Navajo Nation graduation and promotion guidelines also recommend that eligible individuals receive the COVID-19 vaccine prior to attending a graduation event. It also outlines guidelines for post-graduation receptions and private gatherings at home. 

“We are very proud of all of our students, teachers, administrators, parents, and many others who have provided support for our graduates, especially through the pandemic. Our students have persevered and worked hard to reach this point and we want all of our Navajo people to be able to safely enjoy graduation events. Please adhere to the guidelines and help to inform others,” said Vice President Myron Lizer. 

For questions or concerns, please call the Navajo Health Command Operation Center at (928) 871-7014 or send an e-mail to nnhcocplanning@navajo-nsn.gov. The Navajo Nation graduation and promotion guidelines are available online at: https://www.ndoh.navajo-nsn.gov/Portals/0/PDF/RES/Graduation%20and%20Promotion%20Event%20Guidelines%20for%20NDOH%20PHEO%202021-010%20FINAL%205.6.2021.pdf