The Pine Ridge Reservation is in the first day of a 72 hour lock-down.
The lock-down went into effect Monday at 2:45 PM. The order closes travel to and from the reservation, except for essential travel, like medical appointments.
Tribal members who have been away for more than 24 hours and who wish to return are discouraged from doing so. They must quarantine in their home for 14 days.
Karen Eagle is a spokesperson for the Oglala Sioux Tribe. She says it’s impossible to stress how important it is to follow the lockdown.
“Just really think about the well being of all our tribal members,” Eagle says. “We need to start being more proactive. A lot of these things we see going on, with the increase in numbers, can be avoided if we just abide by the shelter in place, the curfew ordinance, and the border monitering.”
COVID 19 cases in Oglala Lakota County, where the reservation is located, have reached 100. There are 41 active cases of COVID 19 in the area, according to state data.