The Blackfeet Incident Command Team issued an announcement earlier today outlining strategies to stop a recent surge in COVID-19 cases.
The Blackfeet Nation has issued a mandatory mask mandate as of today. Tribal offices will be closed to the public and non-essential tribal government travel will be suspended.
James Neely is the public relations representative for the Blackfeet Nation. He said that the reservation is not shutting down.
“And this doesn't affect tourists coming through to the park. This does not affect anyone leaving the reservation,” Neely says.
Neely also says that as of today there are 18 active cases of Coronavirus, and these individuals have been linked to 100 others through contact tracing.
The Blackfeet Nation has lost 48 tribal members to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Taylar Stagner is Yellowstone Public Radio's Report for America Indigenous Affairs Reporter.
