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Currently there is a curfew in the Navajo Nation due to the Covid-19 pandemic. In particular, from Saturday nights until Monday mornings in September there is a lockdown, and (I believe all the time right now) the Navajo Nation's roads are closed to visitors. Does this mean that you can't drive through the Navajo Nation on state highways traversing the reservation, such as 160? Does whether or not it is during the curfew make a difference? I'm not sure whether or not state highways count as Nation roads.

I'm not planning on stopping or leaving the state highway, I would just be traveling through.

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    Route 160 is a U.S. highway, not state, in case it makes a difference (probably doesn't). – Nate Eldredge Sep 19 '20 at 16:15
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    If major through routes like US-160 were closed, I'd expect to see prominent alerts on official road status websites such as az511.gov. But I don't. So my guess is that the closure only applies to local roads. – Nate Eldredge Sep 19 '20 at 23:45
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    @NateEldredge Nice reasoning! – DavidSupportsMonica Sep 20 '20 at 2:29
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    @NateEldredge despite the name, US highways are built and maintained by the states. – phoog Sep 20 '20 at 22:45
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    @phoog: I know, and that's why it probably doesn't make a difference. – Nate Eldredge Sep 20 '20 at 22:47
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Local news from August indicates that county, state and federal highways aren't included in the road closure order.

The resolution closes Navajo-owned and maintained roads, about 5,000 miles, to outside tourists and visitors. County, state, federal roads aren’t included, but Shorty said that shouldn’t be construed as an invitation for tourism.

So you should be fine if you stay on such roads and don't drive into Navajo roads.

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I crossed the Navajo Nation back in June.

At that time, the curfew was only in effect at night. I did not try to cross during it.

There was no problem driving on 98, 160 or 163. The only road block I came across was on the road leading into Monument Valley Tribal Park.

I stopped at a gas station and was impressed at the care everyone was taking to distance, mask and clean hands. I made sure to take extreme caution as well and was made to feel welcome despite a very out of state license plate.

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