A Message from Tribal Council
The Puyallup Tribe of Indians supports Gov. Jay Inslee’s actions to close schools in three counties that have been affected by the coronavirus COVID-19. We appreciate his leadership and efforts to protect public health.
Weekly Message from Tribal Council
Help prevent the spread of illness
Health officials are urging people to take extra precautions to help stop the spread of oronavirus. Here are some tips from the Puyallup Tribal Health Authority:
- It is important to continue to wash hands with soap and hot water for 20 seconds; use hand sanitizer and sanitize your work areas often; use proper cough/sneeze protocols by coughing or sneezing into a tissue, or if a tissue isn’t available, cough or sneeze into the crook of your arm;
- Don’t shake hands or fist bump; use an elbow bump, or greet with a smile or a nod;
- Practice social distancing – try to keep at least a 6-foot distance between yourself and others. Also, stay away from large events such as sports, concerts, even movie theaters;
- Stay home if you are sick and call your supervisor to them know;
- If you are sick, don’t go to the doctor’s office, clinic or emergency room without calling first. Don’t meet in a group; consider holding meetings by conference call.
Social Distancing
Following Gov. Jay Inslee’s announcement on March 11 of new restrictions on large public gatherings, the Emerald Queen Casino, a Tribal Entity, put into place new measures such as postponing concerts, encouraging social distancing among customers and watching for customers who appear to be ill. This is in addition to additional cleaning and other steps that have already been implemented.
In early March, Tribal Administration postponed or canceled all social and cultural gatherings, including Elders luncheons, prayer circles and cultural classes through March 31. Government also canceled travel for employees.
If you have questions about a specific event, please contact the department that organized it or the appropriate entity. For event details, please refer to the website calendar.
Health and Safety Information
Get your information from reliable sources:
- The Washington State Department of Health has set up a call center to answer questions and assembled resources on this website: https://www.doh.wa.gov/Emergencies/Coronavirus
- Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department has additional resources: https://www.tpchd.org/healthy-people/human-coronavirus
- The federal Center for Disease Control has prevention tips and more https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html
Frequently Asked Questions
A: The House of Respect Residence has placed restrictions on who can visit Elders.
Until April 2, there will be no visitors entering the community. Elders luncheons are canceled for safety.
The House of Respect community lunch program will continue by providing take-out sack lunches until April 2. (Due to the fluid nature of the COVID-19 crisis, these dates are subject to change.)
In order to protect themselves, their neighbors, and staff, all Residents in The House of Respect are strongly recommended to remain in the building under a self-quarantine. All tribal Elders in the community are urged to remain at home as well.
Elders will continue to be transported to vital medical appointments. Elders Department staff will also grocery shop for all tribal Elders who don’t have family members able to assist them.
The Elders Department remains open and staff are available to help all Tribal Elders for their essential needs.
A: Tribal Administration remains open for essential tribal government services.
Several buildings, including the Tribal Administration building, are only open to employees, and those with appointments. Upon entering, everyone is asked to use hand sanitizer for the health and safety of our community. People who do not take hand cleaning precautions will be denied access.
If you have any questions or need to make an appointment, call 253-573-7800, ask for your specific department.
Many tribal employees are working remotely from their homes, and are available by email and phone.
A: At this time, PTHA is open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Wednesday. The Pharmacy is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily.
- Medical – immediate care for respiratory illness and limited chronic care. Also, phone visits for routine and well visits
- Dental – urgent care only
- Mental health – phone visits
- Treatment– phone visits
- Pharmacy– pick-ups only at the pharmacy entrance. We are working on extended refills for Puyallup Tribal Elders.
Please call ahead if you are experiencing COVID symptoms (see COVID testing question). Learn more information on PTHA’s website.
A: Yes. Both locations of the Emerald Queen were closed for two weeks at midnight on Monday, March 16. Tribal government and casino staff will reassess conditions toward the end of the two-week period and determine how to proceed.
A: When the casinos reopen, we will shift operations from the current 1-5 location to the new $450 million 1-5 casino. The new location will be easier to sanitize, and allow for social distancing, which are preventative measures for COVID-19.
A grand-opening is set for this summer, when the hotel is scheduled to open.
A: No, PTHA cannot test for COVID-19.
If you have COVID symptoms (cough, fever, shortness of breath), please call 253-593-0232 ext. 337. Do not go to the clinic without calling first. If PTHA is closed, you can call the on-call provider and follow their instructions.
A: The Tribal Council has taken several steps to ensure the health and safety of the community, and keep tribal government open to provide essential services for its members. On March 18, the Tribal Council declared a Public Health Emergency as part of its response to the global COVID-19 crisis.
Members talk about some of their COVID-19 emergency efforts in this video, and letter to membership.
A: Yes. The Tribal Council closed Chief Leschi Schools and Grandview Early Learning Center on Monday, March 16. As of now, the tribe plans for both to reopen in late April- but again, the situation is fluid.
The Little Wild Wolves Youth Center has also temporarily been closed with the exception of funerals.
A: Yes, they have been deemed essential and are operating on regular hours.
A: Most smoke shops remain open, with drive-up and walk-up service available.
A: Open for to-go orders only.
*It’s recommended that you call individual businesses before you go to see if they’re open as things are changing rapidly.
A:Puyallup Tribal departments available to assist Elders with grocery/other necessities shopping include:
- Elders Department
Mary Honhongva, Mary.L.Honhongva@puyalluptribe-nsn.gov, 253-722-6841 / 253-381-0787 - Wrap Around
Shannel Janzen Shannel.N.Janzen@PuyallupTribe-nsn.gov, 253-310-1855 - Adult Services
Russ Hanscom Russ.Hanscom@PuyallupTribe-nsn.gov, 253-302-9523
Many grocery store chains, including Safeway and Costco, are offering special senior-only hours, during the COVID-19 crisis. Several retailers, including Fred Meyer, Safeway and Amazon, also offer at-home grocery delivery. The Puyallup Tribal Elders Department continues to do shopping for the Elders on a weekly basis for its residents, as well as community elders.
- Elders can make a list of what they need and the department does the shopping for them. At this time, staff members are not taking Elders shopping with them.
- They’re transporting only to essential health related appointments. The Elder Department works closely with the Puyallup Tribal Health Authority and outside specialty doctors regarding those appointments.
The Elders center is providing sack lunches to those elders that would normally dine in at the Elders center. We have limited it to Mondays only from 11:30 a.m. -12:30 p.m. for pick up, with enough lunches to last the week.- Elders Department
Puyallup Tribal Court
Please read the General Order, 3/26/2020
Hours of Operation:Monday – Friday 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. AVAILABLE via Phone and Email
As of March 16,2020, the Tribal Court is CLOSED to the public during this COVID-19 pandemic. However, Court staff is available during regular hours to take questions via phone at (253) 680-5585 and/or documents with certificates of service via postal mail as usual or email to: TribalCourtFilings@PuyallupTribe-nsn.gov. Please be advised that this email is temporarily available during this time to receive filings only.
Please check the Court page for updates.
Emerald Queen Casino
The Emerald Queen Casinos locations will temporarily close for 2 weeks. All employees will be paid and given full benefits during this closure. Read more on their " website.
Our Employees
Tribal Administration remains open for essential tribal government services. However, the Tribal Administration and other buildings are open only to employees and to those with appointments.Employees are being encouraged to work from home.
If you have any questions, please call Tribal Administration's Human Resources office at (253) 573-7863 or the entity you work for.
Our Youth
Chief Leschi Schools is closed until Monday, April 27. Grandview Early Learning Center and Little Wild Wolves Youth Center (except for funerals) are both closed until Friday, April 27.
Visit Chief Leschi Schools' website for more information. https://www.leschischools.org/
Our Elders
The House of Respect Residence has placed restrictions on who can visit Elders. Until April 2, there will be no visitors entering the community. If you have a question, please feel free to contact Russ Hanscom, RN, MHA at 253-302-9523.
Our dedicated staff have been strongly encouraging Elders in the Residence to remain at home. This self-quarantine is completely voluntary and meant to protect our Elders’ safety. If an Elder does decide to leave the community, appropriate screening will be conducted upon their return.
Our Events
All events have been postponed or cancelled until further notice.
