TO THE TAOS PUEBLO COMMUNITY:
On Friday, November 20, Taos Pueblo Tribal Government, with the recommendation and support of both the Taos Pueblo Emergency Management Team and leadership of the Tribal Programs, issued a “work from home” order for all Tribal Programs from November 23rd to November 25th. This order was issued in response to the recent spike in cases of COVID-19 in the State and in Taos County, as well as the rise in cases in other local non-tribal jurisdictions and agencies. Taos Pueblo Tribal Government and the TPEMT are continuously weighing the need to provide services to the community and the safety and wellbeing of the staff and community. This is an ongoing and constant discussion, and we appreciate the community’s understanding and patience as we navigate this complicated time.
It should be noted this current closure is not due to any specific cases among Tribal staff; it is simply a preventative measure to reduce in person contact between employees, community members, and the clients we serve. We believe that stay at home orders are essential right now to combat the spread of COVID-19. which is currently out of control. This three-day work from home order effectively gives 10 days of no in-person contact for staff and the clients we serve.
Tribal Programs will reopen, on a limited basis, on Monday, November 30, 2020. All CMS staff are currently on an “on-call” status, and are able to respond as needed to the requests of Tribal Government and the TPEMT. Department of Health and Community Services (DHCS) staff are in constant communication with the Taos Picuris Service Unit, the Albuquerque Area Southwest Tribal Epidemiology Center, and the NM Department of Health regarding cases and case monitoring, and will be responding to and supporting Tribal Members in quarantine or isolation throughout the holiday weekend.
Again, we thank you for your understanding and your support, and once again remind people to please practice COVID safe holiday measures, including:
- Restricting gatherings to only those within your own household;
- If you are experiencing cold or flu like symptoms, self-quarantine immediately;
- Staying at home as much as possible; and,
- Socially distancing when around others that do not live in our households.
HAVE A HAPPY, HEALTHY, AND SAFE THANKSGIVING!