The Navajo Nation 

Office of the President and Vice President

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 9, 2020

President Nez and Vice President Lizer in self-quarantine due to exposure to COVID-19 individual

WINDOW ROCK, Ariz. — During a live online town hall update on Thursday, Navajo Nation President Jonathan Nez announced that he and Vice President Myron Lizer are currently self-quarantined due to being in close proximity on Tuesday, to a first responder who later learned they tested positive for COVID-19. In every visit to communities during the pandemic, they each took precautionary measures by wearing gloves and masks. 

President Nez and Vice President Lizer said they are feeling fine, but will continue self-quarantining themselves as a precaution, and will continue their duties through teleconferences, e-mail, and other means of communication. Several employees have also been directed to self-quarantine – President Nez and Vice President Lizer are following the same protocol. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention defines self-quarantining as separating or restricting the movement of people who were exposed to a contagious disease to see if they become sick. 

“This is real and no one is immune from contracting the virus. We will continue to help fight for our people while we self-quarantine – this is a precautionary measure. While meeting with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the Arizona National Guard, we came into contact with several first responders, one of whom later tested positive for the virus. I’ve been informed that the officials with the Army Corps and National Guard are also self-quarantining to be on the safe side and are doing fine. Our prayers are always with our first responders and many others who are impacted by the virus,” said President Nez.

During the town hall, he encouraged everyone to be prepared for the 57-hour curfew that will take effect on Friday at 8:00 p.m. until Monday at 5:00 a.m., except for essential employees who are required to have documentation from their employer. Navajo Police will strictly enforce the curfew order by issuing citations that may include a fine up to $1,000 and/or 30 days in jail. 

“I am doing fine as I continue to self-quarantine. We will overcome COVID-19 together, but it’s up to each of us whether that will be sooner or later. The more people continue to go out into public, the longer we will have to stay home. Now is the time to get prepared for the 57-hour curfew,” said Vice President Lizer.

On Wednesday, the leaders issued a proclamation declaring April 10-13, 2020, as “Navajo Nation Family Prayer Weekend,” in observance of Good Friday and Easter and to encourage families to pray together for family members, neighbors, health care workers, governing officials, and those who are sick, and the families who have lost loved ones due to COVID-19 on the Navajo Nation.

For more information including reports, helpful prevention tips, and more resources, please visit the Navajo Department of Health’s COVID-19 website at http://www.ndoh.navajo-nsn.gov/COVID-19. To contact the main Navajo Health Command Operations Center, please call (928) 871-7014.