Apache Mescalero tribe President Gabe Aguilar announced that all members of the tribe are locked up after a COVID-19 spike hit the reserve near Ruidoso.
Aguilar announced that the Inn of the Mountain Gods and the Travel Center on Highway 70 would be closed until further notice, via social media on July 22.
The reservation will be blocked for 14 days at five p.m. Friday, July 24 and will end on August 7.
On July 21, there were 10 instances in the reserve and on 22 July he realized that 14 other instances had been confirmed.
“Not all instances come from the casino, they come from other places. Those are many instances with other members of the tribe,” Aguilar said. “We want to do anything to stop the virus. It moves and works. We’re entering a lock as a tribe.”
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A decree has been issued and roads leading to tribal lands will be blocked until further notice. Only tribal members will be allowed on local roads.
Guards will be placed on the roads and criminals will be summoned.
“No visitor from outside the city will be able to enter tribal land under lock and key,” Aguilar said.
Schools will not resume until after Labor Day, and Aguilar presents himself with the local school board to determine when the ranks will begin.
“During the confinement, tribe members may faint on their own property, but please walk through any of the roads or neighborhoods. This is contrary to the objective of confinement,” Aguilar said.
Tribal officials will use containment of isolation sets, and anyone who is positive will have to remain isolated.
“Don’t stop these people. We don’t need members to have contact with them,” Aguilar said.
Tribe members may collect essential family food and desires from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday and Thursday
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“Please send a person. We have to be proactive. We want to prevent spread and take this virus seriously,” Aguilar said.
The tribe will conduct COVID-19 tests for its members from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Friday, July 24 at the Community Center.
“We inspire those who think they have been exposed to the virus for testing. Please make it a priority,” Aguilar said.
The tribe asks members to postpone any non-essential medical appointments they may have at that time.
More: Lincoln County reports first COVID-19 death as cases in New Mexico increase
Anyone wishing to leave the reservation for paintings has been asked to provide the tribe’s officials with a painting schedule, Aguilar said.
“Check your elders and make sure you have enough propane,” he says. “We are achieving a coordinated tactile search through Indigenous Health Services.”
Highways 244 and 70 will open, Carrizo Canyon will be fenced off.
There will be two command centers configured. For more information, the Mescalero Apache tribe page on Facebook.
As of July 22, New Mexico had 17,828 instances in COVID-19 with 591 deaths.
Lincoln County had cases with one death.
This is a forthcoming story. More data will be provided as You arrive at Ruidoso News.
Pamela L. Bonner can be reached on [email protected], Pam Bonner on Facebook, Pamelalbonner1 on Twitter, or by phone at 575-202-5555.