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QIN Covid-19 Information
Quinault Nation Closes Non-Essential Services, Directs Citizens to Shelter in Place, and Cancels Guided Trips
The Business Committee of the Quinault Indian Nation passed a powerful resolution yesterday to help stop the spread of the COVID-19 virus. The resolution shuts down all non-essential services in the community, orders the cancellation of all social gatherings, and directs everyone in the community to “shelter in place.”
In addition, the Quinault Nation issued an Emergency Regulation to close guided fishing trips on the Quinault Reservation and will postpone guided bear hunting trips until May 1<x-apple-data-detectors://1>, at which time tribal officials will re-evaluate the season.
It is important to note that even though guided fishing and hunting on the reservation are closed, nothing limits the ability of citizens to harvest clams or hunt during this season in accordance with approved Quinault clam digging and hunting regulations.
Part of a Growing National Response
The resolution comes just after Gov. Jay Inslee issued a state-wide “stay-at-home” order yesterday to Washington residents. The Quinault Nation followed shortly after, issuing a resolution similar to ones already issued by 16 states and also many Native organizations and governments.
The resolution gives no ending date for the closures or the shelter-in-place order, noting the pandemic “could last up to 18 months and include multiple waves of illness.” The Incident Command Team, however, is continually assessing and re-evaluating the situation.
Shelter in Place Does Not Mean Lockdown
Citizens and residents of the community are not required to “lockdown” at their homes and not go out. They are allowed to go out and access essential services, such as going to the grocery store or to a doctor’s appointment.
The resolution includes a list of the “Essential Critical Infrastructure Workers” who will continue working during the shutdown.
The resolution also directs community members to engage in social distancing practices while out in public.This is a powerful decision for the Quinault Business Committee to make, one that affects the income of many in the community. To make this decision effective in slowing the spread of the virus, tribal citizens and residents will need to do their part and abide
by the guidelines of the resolution. The health of some of the Nation’s most precious and vulnerable members, elders and those with chronic health issues, depend on it.
The resolution and the list of essential workers are attached.
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