The Oglala Sioux Tribe has announced that it is locking down its South Dakota reservation, blocking outsiders from entering the territory, due to the exploding number of coronavirus cases in the state, the Associated Press reports.
Since South Dakota hosted the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally in August, the state has experienced skyrocketing infection rates, with the 7-day running average for daily new cases jumping 800%. Kristi Noem, the republican governor of the state, has refused to implement public health recommendations to curb the spread of the virus, citing liberty or freedom.
The tribe has reported nearly 400 active cases on the reservation, which is home to 20,000 people. Non-essential business on the reservation were ordered closed, with only essential workers recommended to leave the reservation.
The state reported more than 900 new cases yesterday.