FARMINGTON The Navajo Department of Health loosened restrictions for certain businesses and allowed flea markets and roadside markets to reopen beginning on May 24 under guidelines in the latest public health emergency order.
The health department is keeping businesses in the yellow tier of its reopening plan as its coronavirus case rate remains low with a slowed infection rate.
The order increased the capacity for indoor dining at restaurants to 50%. It also boosted capacity to 50% for marinas, parks, museums and zoos.
However, areas managed by the Navajo Nation Parks and Recreation Department remain closed to all.
Still not allowed to operate are youth programs, but the Navajo Health Command Operations Center is reviewing the possible reopening of these programs.
FARMINGTON The Indian Health Service has started giving shots of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine to adolescents ages 12-15.
The IHS posted on its Facebook page on May 12 that its facilities can vaccinate those who are ages 12 and older with the Pfizer vaccine. The action follows approvals from the Food and Drug Administration and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention this week. Check with your local IHS, tribal health program or urban Indian health program for more information, the post stated.
Brian Johnson, acting deputy director of the Navajo Area Indian Health Service, said on May 13 that the IHS headquarters gave the greenlight for facilities to distribute the vaccine, an action that providers had been anticipating.