POTCO is reaching out to you today regarding our response related to COVID-19 and our portable sanication services. We recognize our responsibility as essential personnel and our commitment to keeping our Community and Staff safe.
To begin with, let me assure you we are staying up to date with the current information disseminated from the CDC (Center for Disease Control,) local and national news and PSAI (Portable Sanitation Association International). We are focused on ensuring your portable equipment is as safe as possible under the present conditions. Our Service Technicians are trained and updated continually on best practices to protect everyone’s safety. These Service Technicians are working hard, dilligently and throughly for you.
The restaurant tanks are pumped out and refilled with water and a biological/deoderizer on a weekly basis, unless additional services have been prearranged by the client. We thoroughly wash and disinfect all surfaces of the interior and the outside front services to focus on any areas which may be handled. When our Service Technicians are finished with each unit, its surfaces will be as germ and virus free as possible.
It is important to realize, once people start using a restroom unit, there is no way of assuring cleanliness until the next scheduled service from POTCO.
POTCO offers hand sanitizer dispensers and refills in most units as requested by the client. However, as you may know, hand sanitizer refills are in serious demand and as of today, the supply is expected to not be available for another 4-6 weeks. We will do our best to make this service available. We are well stocked for all other supplies.
During these times of natural disaster or pandemic, we will experience the best and worst in people. We will celebrate the heroes and all suffer from the unscrupulous, selfish, and sometimes disgusting elements of society. We have those who steal toilet paper and hand sanitizer or refuse to use the facility in a clean and respectful manner.
POTCO will continue to provide the excellent services you are accustomed to throughout the current crisis and beyond.
Thank you for your time and consideration as we face this challenge together, most importantly, thank you for your support.
Sincerely,
POTCO
Pueblo of Laguna
Stay-At-Home Order and Pueblo Closure to Non-Residents
Frequently Asked Questions
On April 8, 2020, Governor Wilfred Herrera, Jr., in accordance with the Emergency Declaration dated
March 20, 2020, enacted a Stay-At-Home Order for all Pueblo residents and a Pueblo Closure to NonResidents effective immediately. This Order and Closure of the Pueblo will remain in effect until
further notice. All individuals are encouraged to support and adhere to this Order.
CLOSURE
Q: What’s open?
A: Essential businesses will remain open. These include:
● Gas stations at the Dancing Eagle Travel Center, Superette, Paguate Mart, and Route 66 Travel
Center & Pit Stop
● Food Providers: Grocery stores, food banks, convenience stores, school meal distribution sites,
and senior meal distribution sites.
● Laguna Burger (Exit 114 & 140 locations carry out only), Dairy Queen (Exit 108 carry out and
drive-thru), and Dancing Eagle American Diner (Exit 108 carry out only).
● Farms, ranches, and other food cultivation operations
● Essential Tribal Government functions, including law enforcement, fire & rescue, and
emergency management services
● ACL Service Unit – Emergency Room and Pharmacy
● Utility Authority on call for emergency work orders
● Tribal General Maintenance on call for emergency work orders
● Post Offices
● UA Transfer station
Q: Why are some non-residents being allowed into the Pueblo?
A: Non-Residents who have been identified as “essential” POL employees, POL Enterprise Employees,
and Other Entity employees, will continue to be allowed into the Pueblo. These include:
● Non-resident Law enforcement officers
● Non-resident Firefighters/EMT’s
● Non-resident members of the Emergency Operations Center
● Non-resident supply vendors (including National Guard), construction workers, interstate
commercial drivers, and maintenance workers.
Page 2
● Non-resident accessing essential commercial services at I-40 exits, 108, 114, and 140.
● Non-residents traveling on state roads and BIA public routes, provided all persons remain inside
the vehicle unless accessing essential service.
Q: What’s closed?
A: The following are a list of closed operations:
● Gyms and fitness centers
● Public events and gatherings
● Hair salons
● Casinos and hotels
● Tourist attractions
● Laguna Public Library
● Entrances to villages and residential subdivisions will be closed to all visitors and non-residents.
● All Tribal buildings will be closed to the public. This includes Utility Authority and Laguna
Rainbow Corporation and Kawaika Senior Center (Kawaika Senior Center closed but still
providing drive-thru lunches for elders). Please call entities for assistance.
Q: What about government services?
A: This order does not change the status of Tribal government operations. The tribal government has
already moved to a largely telework system.
Q: I am a food vendor can I continue to sell in the community?
A: No. You are required to observe the stay at home order.
Q: I am an art vendor can I continue to sell in the community?
A: No. You are required to observe the stay at home order.
Q: Are there additional closings because of this order?
A: Yes. If a business does not fall under one of the “essential” categories, employees must either
telework or it must suspend operations.
Q: Will non-members currently residing on the reservation be allowed to remain in
the Pueblo?
A: Non-members with permission to reside on the reservation will be allowed to remain on the Pueblo
and will not need to be screened unless they have recently traveled out of state or are experiencing
signs and symptoms of COVID-19.
Page 3
Q: Can tribal members living off the reservation come back to stay?
A: Tribal members returning to the Pueblo after residing elsewhere are asked to go into selfquarantine in a place, where there are no other people, for a minimum of 14 days. They shall call our
COVID-19 information line at (505)328-5682, to make sure we have them on our tracking list. EOC
personnel can monitor them, to make sure the individual(s) have the necessary supplies for the
duration of the 14 days.
CURFEW
Q: Is there a curfew associated with this order?
A: Yes. You will be required to complete all essential activities so you and your family members can be
inside your home from 8:00pm to 5:00am daily.
Q: Can I leave to work or come home from work between 8:00pm and 5:00am?
A: You may travel during the hours of 8:00pm to 5:00am IF you are identified as an “essential
employee” or POL on-call staff traveling to work or returning home. Please have your badge or
documentation identifying essential worker status. As stated in the Executive Order Section I,
Subsection B. Curfew.
Q. What will happen if I’m caught violating the curfew?
A: All individuals are strongly encouraged to support and adhere to all protocols of the Executive Order
for the safety and wellbeing of all community residents. Individuals failing to adhere to the Executive
Order will be subject to Criminal and Civil Sanctions under Pueblo Law.
ESSENTIAL BUSINESSES
Q: What about the Shaa’srk’a transit?
A: This is considered an essential service and will continue to provide dialysis transports only during
this time, please call 552-9850, to schedule your pick-up.
Q: Can I still tend to my livestock?
A: Yes. Please observe the following:
● No more than 5 individuals in an area
● Only association members who reside in Pueblo boundaries may work on the Pueblo Rangeland
● Take separate vehicles with no more than 2 people in one vehicle
Page 4
● Stay 6 feet apart from each other (social distance) as much as possible
● Please postpone shipping until further notice if it involves bringing people and trucks in from
outside of the Pueblo.
Q: Can I still get my mail and deliveries?
A: Yes. Mail is considered an essential government function, and businesses that deliver goods or
services directly to residences are considered essential businesses.
STAY-AT-HOME ORDER
Q: When should I leave my house:
A: You may leave your home for these reasons:
● If you work for an “essential business”
● If your job is part of essential government services that cannot be conducted through telework
● To conduct “necessary activities” -obtaining medicine, purchasing necessary supplies such as
groceries and personal hygiene products, picking up educational supplies from your child’s
school or providing necessary care and supplies to family members in another household
● To pick up Senior or Child lunches at designated locations.
● To take a walk, jog, or walk the dog. You should limit this activity to no more than 5 individuals
within your household and limit your time outside to only what is essential.
Q: Can I still go out and get my prescriptions?
A: Yes, this is an essential service. ACL pharmacy is offering curbside delivery. Call (505) 552-5394 or
552-5395 before traveling to make sure your prescription is ready for pick up.
Q: May I keep my appointment with my doctor, dentist or optometrist?
A: Most physicians are only conducting video visits at this time. Stay in contact with your physician’s
office for assistance with your regular healthcare needs. Non-essential medical care like eye exams,
teeth cleaning and elective procedures should be postponed.
Q: Will Laguna residents be allowed to travel to Albuquerque and/or Grants?
A: Travel to Albuquerque and/or Grants should be conducted as a “necessary” activity to purchase
groceries, cleaning supplies, or hygiene products, or to pick up medications. Social distancing should be
practiced in these settings and one person from the family should be designated to go.
Page 5
SOCIAL DISTANCING
Q: What is considered a prohibited mass gathering?
A: Any public or private gathering that brings together five or more individuals in a single room or
connected space or an outdoor space where people are within 6 feet of each other.
Q: Are there any exemptions to the 5-or-more rule?
A: Yes. If five or more people live together, they are exempt inside their residence.
Q: Should I wear a mask when I go out for essential activities?
A: Yes. Wearing a mask is your first defense against COVID-19. Since surgical masks are in short supply
for first responders and healthcare workers we ask that you wear a cloth mask.
Q: How do I know I washed my hands properly?
A: Wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. To ensure you wash long enough sing
the Happy Birthday song two times. If soap and water are not available, use a hand sanitizer that
contains at least 60% alcohol.
MISCELLANEOUS
Q: How long will this order be in place?
A: This order is in place until further notice. Tribal Administration in accordance with the EOC will
continue to evaluate and consider when the order can be lifted.
Q. Who can I contact if I have questions regarding this Order?
A: You can contact your Village Official or the Governor’s Office at 552-6654.
Q. Where can I go to view documents in reference to the COVID-19 on the Pueblo?
A: Please visit the Pueblo of Laguna website at www.lagunapueblo-nsn.gov, under the COVID-19
Information link. Up-to-date information and resources are posted to keep our community members
informed.
