CASS LAKE, MN- On March 12, 2020 the Leech Lake Tribal Council met with key members of the administration including the Health Emergency Response Team regarding the looming threat of COVID-19 also known as Coronavirus. The Tribal Council unanimously agreed and passed a resolution declaring the threat of this virus a Public Health Emergency.
LLBO would like to remind the public that this is a rapidly evolving situation and we will put additional measures in place as necessary. Please share this and other information with community members who may not have internet access. We also want to reassure you that we are actively monitoring the latest developments and are working to mitigate any potential effects that could harm our community, especially our elders and other vulnerable populations.
The full text of the Emergency Declaration is as follows:
We are hereby declaring the threat of the COVID-19 Virus as a public health emergency. Thereby acting in the best interest of the most vulnerable segments of our population; we declare that unnecessary travel be suspended, effective immediately, on resolution of the Tribal Council. This is applicable to all travel, including personal travel. This includes all tribal programs.
We are also recommending that all personnel that come back from high risk areas of travel be placed on administrative leave for up to 14 days. Anyone traveling after the date of the Tribal Council Resolution ratifying this declaration will need to use their own leave for the quarantine period.
Furthermore, in order to protect the health and general welfare of the people living on the Leech Lake Reservation, we strongly recommend that the general public postpone any visits from towns or cities that have known COVID 19 confirmed cases. This is temporary and will be in effect until which time it is deemed the travel ban is to be lifted.
Please practice all precautions necessary to combat the spread of the novel coronavirus. Practice good hygiene, limit contact in crowds, keep common surfaces clean and disinfected, limit your off-reservation travel, and please- wash your hands often throughout the day. Do not touch your face with unwashed hands. If you are sick- avoid close contact with others, cover your cough or sneeze with a disposable tissue or wear a facemask. If you begin to feel sick enough to go to the hospital, call ahead and let the hospital staff know so they can prepare.
Miigwech,
Faron Jackson, Sr.
Tribal Chairman
Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe
For more information please see: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html
