Anchorage mayor lifts limits on outdoor gatherings

ANCHORAGE (AP) - Anchorage will lift all limits on outdoor gatherings in a new Coronavirus emergency order that will take effect on Friday night.

Outdoor gatherings will no longer have capacity restrictions, though mask and social distancing mandates will remain.

The new emergency order will remain in effect until June 11, unless it is either revoked or the city’s health department certifies that 70% of eligible Anchorage residents are fully vaccinated. The order, issued Monday, said about 36% of Anchorage residents 16 or older are fully vaccinated.

Many rules regarding indoor gatherings will remain the same under the order, including restricting gatherings with food and beverages to 25 people. Indoor gatherings without food or drinks will remain capped at up to 35 people.

But large ballrooms or conference spaces will soon be able to hold seated events with up to four times the current indoor gathering limits, as long as six feet of space is maintained between tables.

Organized indoor sporting events will be allowed to host four spectators for each athlete instead of the current limit of two spectators per athlete. Outdoor athletic events will have no limitations besides social distancing requirements.

The city will also continue to require public-facing businesses to socially distance their customers.

Acting Mayor Austin Quinn-Davidson announced the emergency order on Monday, and the Anchorage Assembly in a 6-4 vote Tuesday night extended the city’s emergency proclamation, which gives the mayor the power to issue emergency orders.

It is the eighth extension of the emergency. Before Tuesday’s vote, many members indicated it would likely be the last such extension of the emergency.