LA PUSH — The Quileute Tribe will reopen its reservation at 7 a.m. July 12, the tribal council has announced.
The tribe said on its Facebook page on Friday that all tribal enterprises — Oceanside Resort, River’s Edge Restaurant and the Quileute Marina — will be open to the public.
The Makah Tribe north of La Push in Neah Bay, said on its website June 16 that the reservation will remain closed to the public at least until Oct. 1.
Both the Quileute and the Makah tribes closed their reservations last year as the COVID-19 epidemic began.
“While the potential harms of COVID-19 may continue to linger for an undetermined amount of time,” the Quileute Tribal Council said, “we as a community need to move forward so that we can continue living in the best way possible.
“The importance of socialization, access to community programs and services, connection and engagement for our youth, gathering for community healing and prayer, sharing cultural traditions, the opening of our tribal enterprises to provide jobs for our families, and the growth of our economy and government services — these are all important for the health and well-being of our minds, bodies, spirits and relationships,” the tribal council said.
Phase 3 guidelines will be issued when the reservation reopens.
“We encourage everyone to remain vigilant in protecting themselves and others by continuing to follow CDC guidelines as much as possible,” the tribal council order said.
The guidelines include “hand hygiene, respiratory etiquette, social distancing, regular cleaning and disinfecting of shared spaces, and taking into consideration the increased risks associated with different types of events and social gatherings.”
If a significant rise in infections is seen, the Quileute reopening could be rolled back.
