Department of Health and Human Services Commissioner Adam Crum spoke on Tuesday during a press conference to offer details about changes to Alaska’s travel policy.
Nonresidents must submit documentation of a COVID-19 test upon arrival, and will also be able to do so via an online hub: “All nonresidents must arrive with a negative COVID PCR test taken within 72 hours prior to departure, or proof of a pending test result from a test taken within 72 hours prior to departure. This new strategy will allow us to focus resources on travel through the state. Really, it’s the test – 72 hours before departure – and then upload a negative test result into what’s going to be called the Alaska Travel Portal. If tested 72 hours prior to departure and awaiting results, travelers will need to upload proof of a test-taken into the travel portal and then quarantine while waiting for a result.”
Commissioner Crum also outlined a travel plan for Alaska residents: “Alaska residents can return to the state of Alaska and testing remains available at no-cost to residents. The 14 day quarantine is still available to Alaska residents as well, who just don’t want to have the test, who just want to go home. Alaska residents traveling back home to communities in rural Alaska will now have the option of testing at these airport sites, just so they can prevent bringing the virus into these small communities. It should be noted that no test is going to be required for children ages ten years and younger.”
He also noted that in-airport testing is available to both Alaskans and nonresidents. Nonresidents, however, must pay: “If a nonresident does arrive without any pre-test, testing is available at the airports, and we will be charging a fee for those tests. The traveler will be required to quarantine while waiting on results.”
Workforce travel plans that have been established remain in-place for critical infrastructure workers, and those respective companies should be aware of all travel policies.
The new policy changes go into effect on August 11.