Press Release from the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation
For immediate release: March 22, 2020
Contacts:
Carrie Sampson-Samuels, Public Information Officer – Public Health, (541) 240-8728
Jiselle Halfmoon, Public Information Officer – Tribal Governance, (541) 969-4801
CTUIR Incident Command Status Update
MISSION, Ore. – The Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation (CTUIR) Incident Command Team (ICT) is working on several plans to ensure the safety of the entire community. The ICT continues to monitor and manage the emerging situation concerning the COVID-19 pandemic. This is a very serious situation with Tribal, Local, National and International implications. As this situation progresses, it increasingly appears that COVID-19 is now in the greater population, so taking immediate measures to slow its spread are imperative – especially to vulnerable populations. Vulnerable populations include people above 60 years of age, people who may be immunocompromised or other chronic conditions such as lung disease, heart disease and diabetes.
The ICT will share information on a frequent and regular basis as quickly as decisions are made. They have reviewed and considered all recommendations provided by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and Oregon Health Authority (OHA) as they become available, however, the CTUIR has the authority to choose how the guidance is used in our community.
As of 8:00am today, Oregon now has a total of 161 people who have been diagnosed with COVID-19, after the Oregon Health Authority announced 24 new cases of the novel coronavirus.
OHA is reporting new cases in the following counties: Benton (2), Clackamas (1), Deschutes (1), Lane (1), Marion (3), Multnomah (1), Washington (13) and Yamhill (2). Additionally, Oregon Health Authority is reporting that COVID-19 has claimed another life in Oregon, raising Oregon’s death toll from four to five.
Current CTUIR guidelines/updates as of March 22, 2020 at 5:00pm are as follows:
- The Oregon Parks and Recreation Department announced the closure of all state parks, including all trails, viewpoints, and picnic areas and all other facilities beginning tomorrow, Monday, March 23 through May 8, 2020. Day-use state parks will close starting March 23 at 5PM and will not reopen until further notice. All campers must check out by 1PM on Monday, March 23.
- The Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission, Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW), and the Department of Natural Resources announced the closure of all state campgrounds across Washington beginning tomorrow, Monday, March 23 through April 30, 2020. Day use areas and trails remain open in addition to WDFW wildlife areas and water access areas.
- Governor Kate Brown issued an executive order today enacting a 90-day statewide ban on residential evictions for failure to pay rent. As previously announced on March 18, 2020, the ICT has enacted a temporary ban on CTUIR Housing evictions.
- The Átaw Miyánašma Learning Center and Lil’ Turtle Retreat Daycare will be closed for the week of March 23 through March 27, 2020.
- Kayak Public Transit will cease operations for the week of Monday, March 23 through Saturday, March 28, 2020. Kayak Public Transit will continue to monitor the situation and make a determination regarding the following week on or before March 27, 2020. For updates or inquiries, you may contact Kayak Public Transit dispatch at 541-429-7519.
- As of 12 noon today, March 22, 2020, Wildhorse has closed the Tower Hotel, Cineplex, Hot Rock Cafe and Wild Roast until further notice. These facilities are being thoroughly cleaned and sanitized.
The Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation is made up of the Cayuse, Umatilla, and Walla Walla Tribes, formed under the Treaty of 1855 at the Walla Walla Valley, 12 statute 945. In 1949, the Tribes adopted a constitutional form of government to protect, preserve and enhance the treaty rights guaranteed under federal statute.
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