Governor Mike Dunleavy announced two new statewide health mandates Monday, March 23, in response to the ongoing spread of COVID-19 in Alaska. These are the ninth and tenth health mandates the state government has announced regarding the virus. Many local communities have been taking steps of their own to mitigate the risk of the virus spreading further. These mandates, however, are meant to help statewide efforts to combat COVID-19.
The first of these two mandates, Mandate 009 took effect on March 24. All businesses and other gatherings where individuals are within six feet of each other must cease all operations. The mandate specifically mentions businesses like hair salons, tattoo shops, massage therapy locations, tanning facilities, and others. The mandate also states that no gatherings of more than 10 people may take place for the time being. Health care facilities are exempted from this rule. This mandate is in effect until the governor rescinds or modifies it.
Mandate 010, the second announced Tuesday evening, impacts travelers. Effective March 25, everybody arriving in Alaska is required to self-quarantine for a period of 14 days. Alaskan residents are asked to self-quarantine where they live and, if possible, work from home. An exception is made for Alaskans who work in "critical infrastructure" businesses such as healthcare or financial services. Non-resident workers or visitors are required to self-quarantine in their hotel rooms or rented lodgings. Those in quarantine may only leave to seek medical attention and may not have visitors save for doctors or other authorized individuals. This mandate supersedes any travel restrictions set in place by local governments. Failure to follow this order is punishable by a fine up to $25,000, or a maximum of one year in prison, or possibly both.
"In the last 24 hours we're now up to 36 cases of infection of this virus, and for the first time we've got community spread," Dunleavy said in a March 23 press briefing. "It's our healthcare professionals that are going to be the front line troopers as we go through this process. We all have our part to play, we've talked about that. Social distancing ourselves, washing our hands, not going into crowds, doing our part, all of us sacrificing a little bit now so we can all, Alaska, gain a lot more later."
A full list of state mandates, and other information
regarding the virus,
can be found online. Visit the office of the governor's
website, http://www.gov.alaska.gov, and click on the "COVID-19" tab.
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