Rocky Boy enacts seven-day lockdown

Editor’s note: This version adds an amendment on entry points later made by the Chippewa Cree Business Committee.

The Chippewa Cree Business Committee today approved a seven-day lockdown at Rocky Boy's Indian Reservation with almost all tribal operations and businesses on the reservation shut down.

The resolution passed by the committee says limited exceptions apply to Chippewa Cree Tribal Police Department, Rocky Boy Health Center and Gramma's Market.

All access points will be open, after the Business Committee amended its original resolution. At first, the tribe was going to allow access onto and from the reservation at only one designated point, but now all points are open.

Access at the points will be only for professional staff or for essential activities.

With limited exceptions on a case-by-case basis such as where a person is unable to operate a motor vehicle, only one person per vehicle is allowed to leave for essential activities.

People will only be allowed one exit and one entry to the reservation per 24-hour period.

Essential activities includes activities such as obtaining medical supplies or medication, visiting health care professionals or obtaining supplies needed to work for home; obtaining or delivering services or supplies for themselves or their families or delivering them to others such as food or other groceries and cleaning supplies; caring for a family member or pet in another household, and participating in COVID-19 testing.

Professional staff allowed access includes government officials, first responders, local or federal officers or investigators, medical or delivery drivers or law enforcement personnel carrying out their duties.

The resolution says all people are required to self-quarantine during the seven-day lockdown, and if travel outside of the home is required that they follow the restrictions listed. A 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. curfew remains in effect and the business committee requires anyone to wear masks or face coverings when they are out in public within the exterior boundaries of the reservation.

The order is in effect from today through July 15, unless extended beyond that by a resolution.