Governor Mike Dunleavy delivered his nightly press briefing alongside Dr. Anne Zink as well as his entire cabinet as they announced the latest COVID-19 results, as well as Health Mandate 10 which relates to wearing masks in public.
The Governor announced 157 total cases in Alaska, including 11 new cases announced today. There have been no new deaths. Dr. Zink discussed the fact that one of the 11 cases was not an Alaskan, so there were actually only ten Alaskan residents positive, but that the count of 11 stands for the official tally. Five are male, six are female.
She offered advice to people who may have been exposed, but are not showing symptoms: stay away from others as much as possible, cover your mouth when you cough or sneeze, and wearing a mask as much as possible just in case these folks are at risk of spreading it.
Health Mandate 10 is an official recommendation to cover your nose and mouth, mandating wearing a cloth mask in public locations such as stores, to ensure asymptomatic people are less-likely to spread the disease if they do not know they have it. Dr. Zink also advised washing hands afterward using the mask, washing the masks afterwards, and to try to avoid touching your face when removing the mask.
She also reminded the press about the new data hub which allows Alaskans to better track the COVID-19 test count.
Before introducing his cabinet, Governor Dunleavy prefaced their presentations by discussing his amending COVID-19 Disaster Order of Suspension No. 2 which suspends certain fees and fines within the Department of Health and Social Services, Department of Administration, Department of Commerce, Department of Labor, Department of Revenue, Department of Environmental Conservation, Department of Natural Resources, Department of Transportation, and the Department of Fish and Game through May 11 unless otherwise noted.
- Commissioner Tamika Ledbetter of the Department of Labor and Workforce Development made note of internal movement she has performed within the Department of Labor to process unemployment claims, such as bringing retirees back in to help process the huge influx of claims being processed. She also announced that unemployment insurance will be available to residents who previously had no access to it.
- Commissioner Kelly Tshibaka of the Department of Administration announced changes to Alaska Care, which covers over 90,000 Alaskans. They are waiving costs of being treated for COVID-19, including testing for any respiratory infections. Similarly, they have increased access to telephone medicine for those covered by Alaska Care – it is now entirely free with expanded coverage.
- Commissioner Corri Feigi of the Department of Natural Resources announced changes that are retroactively to April 1. State land fees, such as sales and leases as well as businesses on public parks, are suspending fees and payments. More information is at www.dnr.alaska.gov. She recommended clicking the COVID Economic Relief banner to find out more details about relief and to apply.
- Commissioner Jason Brune of the Department of Conservation and Education said that his department is working with Federal departments to adjust services as much as possible.
- Commissioner Julie Anderson of the Department of Commerce, Community, and Economic Development to discuss the elimination of members of utilities to participate in-person. Additionally, she announced that the Small Business Administration is implementing the Paycheck Protection Program which allows small businesses to forgive up to eight weeks of wages or other operating expenses. The program allows companies to be eligible for up to $10 million in loans. Details are at www.akgov.us/economy.
- Commissioner John MacKinnon of the Department of Transportation and Public Facilities announced suspending fees on heavy trucks, to ease the load of the supply chain in the state. Also, all cancellation fees for the Marine Highway System are being waived. He also assured everyone that all construction process are in-place for the construction season.