Testing for COVID-19 will continue at the Wrangell airport, and at other airports throughout Alaska, even though the state pandemic disaster declaration expired Sunday. However, the testing will be optional rather than mandatory, except in those communities with their own rules.
The Alaska Legislature was unable to agree on a new disaster authorization for the governor, who declined to issue a declaration without legislative action.
"As of now we will continue with airport screening and testing, it will now just be optional rather than mandatory for out-of-state travelers," according to a statement from SEARHC, which runs the testing program at the Wrangell airport under a state contract.
Since the program started in June, SEARHC had administered 1,037 tests at the airport through Monday's count, said Alicia Gillen, executive assistant at the Wrangell Medical Center.
"With no disaster declaration, we have no authority to do the mandatory testing anymore," Alaska Health and Social Services Commissioner Adam Crum said.
The state still advises, but does not require, that travelers get tested, and the option will be available at airports through June, according to a state announcement Sunday. The state has testing contracts with several organizations, such as SEARHC, through the end of June.
SEARHC also advises travelers who arrive in Wrangell from out of state to take a test, to help limit the spread of COVID-19.
Mandatory airport testing had been in place statewide for almost a year, during which time the program identified 2,355 positive COVID-19 cases, according to information provided to the Alaska Legislature earlier this month.
Without a disaster declaration in place, Gov. Mike Dunleavy issued health advisories on Sunday, including: "While Alaska resident and non-resident travelers will no longer be required to have pre-travel negative tests upon arrival, it is still considered one of the best mechanisms to track the virus and prevent community spread. The existing airport testing infrastructure will remain in place to protect Alaskans and visitors alike."
The governor said Alaska is in the "transition and recovery process" from the pandemic, adding, "Make no mistake about it, the virus may be with us for some time. But the data shows that the worst is most likely behind us."
And although travelers from out of state will no longer have to show proof of a negative COVID test or quarantine for five days while waiting for test results in Alaska, the state still recommends social distancing to reduce the risk of infection.
Regardless of the change in state rules, some cities, such as Juneau, still require that travelers get tested.
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