Rocky Boy implementing entry checkpoints, screening, curfew

The Chippewa Cree Tribe of Rocky Boy's Indian Reservation announced in a post on the tribe's Facebook page that the Rocky Boy Police Department will be implementing checkpoints at the entrances to the reservation today at noon.

"The primary goal of this action is to promote community safety by monitoring incoming traffic to reduce and or eliminate the spread of COVID-19," the post said.

The monitoring posts will be in place 24-hours-a-day. People entering the reservation will be asked a series of screening questions to identify any possible symptoms or exposure to COVID-19, the disease caused by the novel coronavirus 2019 that has been declared a pandemic by the World Health Organization.

As of Monday evening, no cases of COVID-19 had been confirmed in Chouteau or Hill counties, according to the state government map at https://montana.maps.arcgis.com/apps/MapSeries/index.html?appid=7c34f3412536439491adcc2103421d4b .

The relase said people who are not tribal members or residents of Rocky Boy and who have no legitimate reason to be on the reservation may not be permitted to enter.

All residents should be abiding by a 10 p.m. to 6 p.m. curfew, the post said.

The Chippewa Cree Business Committee adopted an order Saturday establishing the curfew and a stay-at-home order asking residents to stay at home to self-isolate and practice social distancing, defined as staying at least 6 feet away from other people when away from their home.

People with symptoms, typically fever, cough and shortness of breath, should contact the Rocky Boy Health Center at 395-4486 and should self-isolate for 14 days, the post said.