With three Navajo people testing positive for the coronavirus, Navajo Nation President Jonathan Nez announced efforts, as of Wednesday, to limit the number of outside visitors on Navajo tribal land.

"Of course we can't just put roadblocks up," he said during a press conference.

The Navajo Nation spans across three states, Arizona, Utah and New Mexico. Based on the boundaries of the Navajo Nation, Nez said that they're not going to be putting up roadblocks because the tribe does not have the resources to do so.

"We ask for our visitors to respect the sovereignty of the Navajo Nation," he said.

All tourism locations, tribal parks and casinos are closed on the Navajo Nation. A state of emergency was announced by the Navajo Nation on March 11 to deal with the coronavirus.

"What are our visitors going to come and see if our tourist attractions are closed and our points of interest are closed?" Nez asked in reply to a question on why it's a necessity to limit visitors.

The Navajo Health Command Operations Center is considering issuing a shelter-in-place order for citizens in Chilchinbeto, where all three cases are from.

Nez said doesn't want to contradict his advice to the Navajo people to stay home while visitors wander around tribal land.

"We're trying to lessen that curve and get ourselves through this pandemic," he said.

Nez also signed an emergency order that included the following:

Urges citizens to stay at home for 15 days.

Requires restaurants to operate at no greater than 50% capacity and seating; tables may also not seat more than six people.

Limits fast food restaurants to drive-thru only.

Prohibits gatherings of 10 or more people.

Nez said travel agencies that organize visits to the Navajo Nation have been notified and he hopes they will abide by the request.

The Navajo people who have tested positive for the new coronavirus are from Chilchinbeto, Arizona. Two of the cases reported symptoms to the Kayenta Health Center in Kayenta, Arizona. All were then taken to a hospital in Phoenix for testing.

The first two patients are in stable condition, said Del Yazzie, an epidemiologist with the Navajo Epidemiology Department.

Nez said there are ongoing investigations into the relationship and history of the cases. Two individuals have recently traveled outside of tribal land.

The Navajo Nation is one of 22 tribes in the state of Arizona. Ten of those tribes have declared a state of emergency in response to COVID-19.

"This is a rapidly evolving situation," said Dr. Loretta Christensen, who is the chief medical officer for the Navajo Area Indian Health Service.

She said that the IHS health facilities on the Navajo Nation have 170 beds, 13 ICU beds, 52 isolation rooms that are available and 28 ventilators.

"We have a significant amount of capacity," she said, but without knowing how the virus will impact the Navajo Nation, it is possible "we will come to a point where we won't have enough resources available."

Over 100 people have been tested at IHS facilities on the Navajo Nation, Christensen said, and they have the results of about 20% of those tests.

"Testing will have to be done on a priority basis because we don't have the testing kits required," she said.

IHS facilities recommend people call into the health-care facility beforehand.

Reporter Shondiin Silversmith covers Indigenous people and communities in Arizona. Reach her at ssilversmi@arizonarepublic.com and follow her Twitter @DiinSilversmith.

Support local journalism. Subscribe to azcentral.com today.