Tribal checkpoints still in place

WATERTOWN, S.D. (KWAT) — South Dakota has seen some of the highest per capita coronavirus infection rates of any state in the country over the past few weeks, and that means those traffic checkpoints on some of the state’s Indian Reservations remain in place.

South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem talked about the situation.

Noem says despite differences over the legality of the checkpoints, her administration’s relationship with Indian country remains strong.

Noem asked the White House in May for help to make the Cheyenne River and Oglala Sioux tribes remove their checkpoints on state and federal highways.

The tribes set up the checkpoints in an attempt to lock down their reservations amid fears coronavirus infections could decimate members.