While some Four Corners counties are restricting recreation access to slow the spread of COVID-19, the Montezuma County Commission says it currently has no plans to follow suit.
Shortly after San Juan County, Utah, announced its first COVID-19 case Friday, the county sheriff said non-residents are prohibited from campingand other nonessential stays. The sheriff’s office has said it wants local law enforcement to rely on warnings and to save citations for repeat offenders.
In Navajo Nation, all tribal parks were closed earlier this month until further notice. And the sheriff in San Juan County, Colorado, closed the backcountry to avoid stretching emergency crews thin.
Though Montezuma County has not taken similar measures, Commissioner Larry Don Suckla said guidance from the health department and law enforcement is always changing.
“We are constantly being advised,” Suckla said at a virtual press conference Tuesday. “And decisions would be made quite rapidly.”
Gov. Jared Polis’ stay-at-home order encourages safe outdoor recreation, like going for walks and hikes, but says to avoid higher-risk activities.
The Montezuma County Public Health Department announced the county’s first COVID-19 case on Saturday.