The Anchorage Assembly voted last Friday to immediately revoke the city’s mask mandate. On the same day, legislative leaders voted to make mask-wearing optional at the state Capitol — and then shed their own face coverings after the vote.
The decision by the Legislative Council followed new guidelines from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for people who are fully vaccinated against COVID-19.
The new legislative policy recommends weekly testing for those who are not fully vaccinated and for those with COVID-19 symptoms or who return to Juneau after travel. The Capitol remains closed to the public.
The CDC last Thursday released guidance allowing people who are fully vaccinated to stop wearing masks outdoors in crowds and in most indoor settings. The federal guidance calls for masks on planes, buses and other forms of public transportation and at airports.
The next day, the Anchorage Assembly voted 8-1 in a special meeting to revoke the face mask mandate that had been in place since June.
The Anchorage mayor’s office said people who are not vaccinated against COVID-19 are encouraged to wear masks. The office said businesses in Anchorage still can require mask-wearing if they want.
In Juneau, municipal restrictions remain for those not fully vaccinated. Those who are fully vaccinated no longer have to wear masks in indoor public areas or at crowded outdoor events and do not have to wear masks at gyms, under revised rules announced last Friday.
Masks are required regardless of vaccination status in Juneau in places like the hospital, school district facilities and other settings that choose to require them, according to a statement from the city.
Wrangell’s face mask requirement expired April 30, although the borough continues to request “that community members mask up to help stop the community spread of COVID,” and recommends, “always have a mask on when you are around people outside of your household.”
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