Coeur d'Alene Tribe issues stay-at-home order

Plummer – The Coeur d’Alene Tribe has issued a temporary stay at home order as part of the Tribe’s continued efforts to slow the spread of the COVID-19 virus.

Tribal Council enacted this measure pursuant to its responsibility for the safety, health and welfare of the citizens of the Coeur d’Alene Reservation.

“The Coeur d’Alene Tribe has always been committed to protecting the health and safety of the community and we will continue to do so through this uncertain situation. Working together, we can and will rise above this challenge and be a stronger community in the end,” said Chairman Ernie Stensgar.

As a sovereign tribal government, the Coeur d’Alene Tribal Council has jurisdiction over the Coeur d’Alene Indian Reservation. This order was issued to provide direction from the Tribal Council to tribal members and tribal businesses within the boundaries of the reservation and direction, where state laws do not generally apply.

In these uncertain times, direction from the Tribal Council is crucial, and the Tribe and Marimn Health are coordinating with state and federal public health officials in the decisions being made that will impact the Tribe and the reservation.

The order requires individuals to stay in their homes and not travel or congregate in public spaces on the Coeur d’Alene Reservation. Exceptions are provided for the purposes of obtaining or conducting essential services, including health care, gas stations, financial institutions, restaurants providing take out only services, and grocery stores.

Community members are asked to limit contact to those currently living in the same household. If you need to leave to get food or other necessities, maintain a distance of 6 feet from others whenever possible, practice social distancing, cover your mouth when you cough, and wash your hands frequently.

“The Coeur d’Alene Tribe will continue to provide for the membership and the community through this time of uncertainty by maintaining essential services and, for as long as possible, wages and benefits for all of our employees,” said Chairman Ernie Stensgar.

The Tribe will continue providing essential services including public safety, public works, construction, elder services, groceries through the Benewah Market, and health care at Marimn Health. Non-essential tribal offices are closed and business activities are suspended.

The Tribe took an early proactive measure on March 18 to close offices to non-essential employees with all others working remotely. This action extends that period.

Marimn Health will continue operating at current service levels to provide the necessary medical care to our community. While the level of service will remain the highest quality, some procedures have changed recently. Please call the medical center regarding health concerns or medical needs, especially if you think you may have symptoms of the COVID-19 virus. All patients with a fever of 100.4 or higher, cough, or shortness of breath will be directed to a tent in the Marimn Health parking lot to be evaluated. Visit www.marimnhealth.org/coronavirus for information.

The Benewah Market remains fully operational with shipments coming in regularly and a good stock of supplies that are needed during this unprecedented situation. The Tribe is also continuing to work with its most vulnerable population, the elder community, to limit potential exposure to the virus by providing specialized shopping hours for them.

The Coeur d’Alene Tribal Casino has been closed since March 20 and remains closed at this time. Essential employees will continue cleaning, sanitizing and preparing the property for re-opening when it is safe to do so.