The Chilkat Indian Village tribal council has asked people from outside of Klukwan to not enter the community unless needed for essential services. (Photo by Henry Leasia)
The Chilkat Indian Village tribal council has asked people outside of Klukwan to not visit the community. The decision was made in order to reduce the chance of exposing the community to the novel coronavirus.
Kimberly Strong is the tribal council president.
“We blocked off a couple of our roads entering into the village, explaining that we’re asking our friends and family and business associates to please only enter the village for essential services,” Strong says.
Medical care, Fuel, Food & Mail Delivery, and Emergency Home Repairs are all considered essential.
According to Strong, home healthcare workers are still coming to the community as long as they have not recently traveled or been exposed to the virus.
She says many residents in Klukwan are particularly vulnerable to the coronavirus.
“Our population is a lot older and there are a lot of people who live in the village that have immunity issues because of chronic disease,” Strong says. “We’re really trying to stay ahead of what the expectations are for the nation.”
In addition to blocking access to the village, the tribal council also passed a shelter in place resolution last week.
It requires Klukwan residents to stay at home except when acquiring essentials or receiving medical care. Residents are allowed to recreate outdoors but must maintain a distance of at least 6 feet from any individual.
Strong says the logistics of social distancing in a remote community can be difficult when shopping for groceries, especially when using food stamps.
“I’m trying to work with the state in figuring out how we can have people place orders with their quest cards at the grocery stores. We have people who are willing to pick up groceries and deliver it to homes.”
The restrictions on access to the community and the shelter in place requirements will remain in effect until further notice.
