Several additional cases of COVID-19 were reported in the state capitol building following the news last week that said House Republican Rep. Mike Cronk of Tok tested positive. According to a Monday email, two close contacts reportedly tested positive for COVID-19.
In spite of that, work in the Alaska House of Representatives continues on, according to District 31 Rep. Sarah Vance who spoke to KSRM, “Everyone started doing contact tracing and things like that. There have been some other cases of staff. We don’t know if they’re related, but the COVID mitigation that we have here in the capitol is really high. Everyone is working together in incredible ways. There are some members who are going telephonically to do their committee work. We’re making sure that we are testing regularly, that we are wearing masks, we are distancing, everything possible so that we can continue to do business. At this point, there’s not a whole lot more that we can do except be supportive of one another and carry on business the best that we can. So far, we only miss two days. We had one day of committee, one day was a technical session on the floor and at this point, we don’t have bills moving across the floor to be voted on. The people’s business is still moving forward. That’s the best that we can hope for.”
The Legislative Affairs Agency reports that nearly 20 lawmakers and staff members are currently in isolation away from the state Capitol.
Rep. Vance explains the COVID-19 mitigation protocols in place so that more cases don’t pop up in the Legislature, “We are required to have testing every five days. With a new case, we are allowed to go in and get tested as often as we feel necessary. Everyone is tested regularly when they come into the capitol, they have their temperature screened. Everyone is required to wear facemasks and there’s plexiglass, hand sanitizer everywhere. This is the cleanest that Juneau’s politician’s hands have ever been.”
The public’s access to the capitol building is limited while the COVID-19 mitigation protocols are in place.