Navajo Nation Closes Tribal Parks

Above, Monument Valley is one of the Navajo Nation's tribal parks that's closing. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Although there are no reports of anyone affected by the coronavirus within the Navajo Nation, they are not taking any chances and are closing the Navajo Nation's tribal parks temporarily. This includes Monument Valley, which straddles Arizona and Utah but is a Navajo tribal park.

The Phoenix New Times reported:

The Navajo Nation is moving to close all Navajo Nation Tribal Parks, including four popular sites in Arizona, due to concerns about the spread of the novel coronavirus.National Park 

“We know that there are many concerns about the in-flow of tourism,” said Jonathan Nex, president of the Navajo Nation. “And while we don’t have oversight over all tourist attractions, we also want to let you know that we’re addressing the public concern.” 

The announcement follows the Nation’s move to declare a state of emergency earlier this week for the COVID-19 pandemic, also known as “Diko Ntsaaígíí-Náhást’éíts’áadah” in the Navajo language. 

The president said the Navajo Nation Division of Natural Resources informed him late Thursday afternoon that they will close public parks and recreational areas under tribal control as a precautionary measure. Nez said they’re also meeting with the U.S. National Park Service to receive full confirmation for the closure of every park on the Navajo Nation Reservation this afternoon. 

There are no confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus on the Navajo Nation, a sovereign nation larger than ten U.S. states. But surrounding areas which boast large numbers of Navajo people, including Arizona, New Mexico, Utah, and Colorado, have all confirmed multiple cases of the virus.

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