Press Release

Chief Justice JoAnn B. Jayne issued Administrative Order 42-2023 on May 15, 2023 for the Navajo Nation Judicial Branch that rescinds operating plans related to the COVID-19 pandemic, teleworking agreements for Judicial Branch employees, and the mask mandate for Judicial Branch facilities. The Administrative Order is effective May 31, 2023, at 5 p.m.

At the early onset of the pandemic, the Judicial Branch implemented a Continuity of Operations Plan, and later a Roadmap to Full Capacity plan, in order to keep its employees and the public safe during the COVID-19 pandemic while continuing operations and expanding services. These plans included specific mitigation measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19 within Branch facilities and among Branch employees as well as the public. However due to recent actions, locally, nationally and internationally, those plans are now being rescinded. This includes the ending of the national emergency related to the pandemic on April 10, 2023, the World Health Organization determining that COVID-19 no longer constitutes a public health emergency of international concern on May 5, 2023, and the federal public health emergency expiring on May 11, 2023.

Through the Administrative Order, masks will no longer be required in Judicial Branch facilities but employees and visitors may continue to wear a mask within the facilities. Teleworking will also no longer be authorized for employees.   

Effectively, with this Administrative Order, the courts and programs of the Judicial Branch will return to pre-pandemic operations.  The doors to the District Courts, Supreme Court, Peacemaking Program, and Probation and Parole Program will be open to the public beginning on June 2, 2023, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, excluding holidays.

The Administrative Order is on the Judicial Branch website at https://courts.navajo-nsn.gov. If you have any questions about the operations of your local court or program, please contact that court or program.

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