CRIT extends stay-at-home order, casino closure until end of August

UPDATE: Parker schools Superintendent Brad Sale responded to a question by Parker Live about how this would affect schools, saying: “We are currently working with tribal officials to determine how the stay-at-home order affects our schools and the ability to attend school in person. We will also be following the benchmarks that AZDHS will release next week. These benchmarks will have schools work closely with County Health to determine if/when school is safe to return to in person learning. Everything is fluid and we must exercise patience and flexibility. While schools are closed to in-person learning, PUSD will use distance learning, most of which will be held online.”

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The CRIT Tribal Council has voted to extend the Tribe’s Stay-At-Home Resolution until August 31st.

Even though the number of new COVID-19 cases has been gradually decreasing, the Tribal Council “feels extending the Resolution is the best way to ensure the numbers continue to move in the right direction,” according to a statement released Thursday.

The extension of the Resolution applies to the BlueWater Resort and Casino.

Face mask requirements enacted in June will remain in effect until further notice.

Tribal Council Chairman Dennis Patch said, “While COVID-19 numbers have only recently become more manageable, now is not the time to let our guard down. In an abundance of caution we need to continue to shelter in place to protect the health and safety of Tribal members.”

All individuals (within the exterior boundaries of the CRIT Reservation) are required to stay at home except for essential personnel. Individuals may only leave their homes out of absolute necessity for their health, safety, or welfare—such as obtaining medical care, food, or traveling to an essential job function. Only one individual in the household should be sent out to conduct essential business, such as grocery shopping, except where assistance is required, or no one is in the home to care for young children.

Recreational activities remain suspended on the Colorado River Indian Reservation. This includes permitted and open access to the Colorado River, and orders temporary suspension for fishing, hunting, camping, and other recreational permits. This does not include individuals or family units from walking around their neighborhood, playing outside in their yard, running, or biking provided social distancing is practiced. This does exclude large groups playing group sports, contact, or not.

“CRIT thanks the community for its patience as well as caregivers and medical professionals for their efforts to prevent the spread of COVID-19 and their dedication in treating those who have been effected,” the statement says.

The restrictions will remain in place until August 31, 2020, or until Tribal Council, in consultation with public health officials, determines that the threat has decreased and these restrictions can be lifted.