In March 2020, the tribe declared a state of emergency after due to the pandemic.
According to a release from the Blackfeet Tribe, the council decided to open the entrance, located on the Blackfeet Reservation, due to the heightened availability of COVID-19 tests and vaccines. The tribe also advanced into Phase 3 of the COVID19 Phased Plan on March 15, 2021 which allows more opening on the Blackfeet Reservation.
âWith the move to phase 3 as well as consultation with medical authorities and the high rate of vaccination on the Blackfeet Reservation, the Council felt that it was time to allow the east entrance to open,â Blackfeet Tribeâs Public Information Officer James McNeely said in the release.