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Rosebud on COVID-19 Lockdown


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Police officers monitor checkpoints at Rosebud reservation boundaries. People traveling are being told to not stop due to the increasing cases of COVID-19. Photo from Facebook.

Police officers monitor checkpoints at Rosebud reservation boundaries. People traveling are being told to not stop due to the increasing cases of COVID-19. Photo from Facebook.

ROSEBUD RESERVATION – The Rosebud Reservation was put on lockdown for seven days due to the rising number of tribal citizens who’ve tested positive for the corona virus (COVID-19).

The tribe also established checkpoints to control traffic through tribal lands. The checkpoints are located at Highway 83 near the Nebraska State Line/Rosebud Casino. Highway 18 east of Okreek. Highway 18 near Upper Cut Meat. Highway 44 around Corn Creek community and Highway 44 JCT near White River The tribe is also conducting random checkpoints at other locations. Commercial traffic is being allowed to proceed through the checkpoints on to their destinations without issue.

People from outside of the Rosebud area are being advised that Todd County has had a substantial increase in cases of COVID-19. They are encouraged to continue through to their destination and not stop within Todd County.

In a public statement issued by President Rodney M. Bordeaux, tribal citizens were advised to remain at home during the lockdown or risk being fined. The initial statement issued on May 13 read: “There are now officially up to 14 confirmed cases of COVID-19 within Todd County. I am advising that the Rosebud Sioux Tribe will be locked down effective at midnight tonight (12:01 AM) 05/14/20 until 05/17/20 at 6 AM. This is being done pursuant to RST Council Resolution 2020-75, in which the RST Council authorized me to act in such a manner.

“I had hoped that this was not necessary. Unfortunately, there were too many people in our community who refused to take precautions of social distancing and the wearing of masks in public and also refused to self-quarantine or take any of this seriously. We are officially up to 14 cases in Todd County. We fear that this number will continue to rise and we can no longer wait.

“Before I get too far into the details, I would like to acknowledge those among us who have been practicing social distancing, who have been wearing the face masks, and who have been in compliance with the stay at home orders this whole time. We appreciate the sacrifice each of you have made during this troubling time.

“Businesses will only be permitted to maintain hours of 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. during the lockdown. This will allow families to get the supplies that they might need during the lockdown. This will allow ranchers to tend to their livestock. Our people are expected to be within their homes or yards unless they are out getting supplies as needed or tending their livestock between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. Anyone found away from their homes and yards may be arrested or issued citations to appear in court under the emergency directives announced yesterday. TECRO workers on construction projects will be able to go to the worksites provided they are named on a list to be provided by TECRO.

“Essential employees will be permitted to go to work unless they can work from home. The President’s Office will provide a list of essential employees who will be required to physically come to work during the lockdown. Simply having a badge indicating that you are an essential employee will not authorize you to travel—you need to be on the list.

“Dialysis treatments and transportation will be permitted to continue as scheduled through the lockdown. Medical Professionals and affiliated staff will be permitted to travel as long as they are performing their official duties.

“Local residents will not be permitted to leave Todd County unless they have an existing medical or dental appointment and proof of the appointment/ procedure.

“The goal of this lockdown is so that we can do the contact tracing that we need to do to work on suppression of the spread of this virus.”

President Bordeaux issued another statement on Saturday, May 16 on YouTube. The announcement was also shared on the tribal radio station and social media. His statement was:

“Good evening relatives. I am afraid that I must announce that the lockdown must continue until Thursday, May 21 until 6 a.m.

“We are keeping the same restrictions in place. Businesses will continue operating 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. daily. Remember, only one person per household should be running essential errands.

“Our CHR is doing its best with contact tracing activities. IHS will be informing RST Health Administration as to COVID diagnoses so that we can protect the public and provide support to those persons requiring it.

“I would like to remind our people that the CHR people and law enforcement are working to protect the public as our numbers rise. Give them your utmost cooperation. If a CHR rep advises you that you need to isolate or self-quarantine, please treat that seriously.

“Finally, I want to say a word of thanks to our business community, who have also sacrificed. It’s commendable the unified desire they have to put the people’s health first.” Rodney M. Bordeaux, President, Rosebud Sioux Tribe.

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