Governor Mike Dunleavy held a press conference and was joined by Adam Crum, Commissioner of the Alaska Department of Health and Social Services, on Thursday. They announced a new health mandate, as well as guidance regarding Health Mandate 16, also known as ‘Phase One’ in the Governor’s five phase approach towards re-opening the Alaskan economy.
The new mandate, Health Mandate 17, offers protective measures for independent commercial fishing vessels operating within Alaskan waters and ports in order to prevent, slow, and otherwise disrupt the spread of the virus that causes COVID-19. Alaska is establishing standardized protective measures to be followed by all independent commercial fishing vessels operating in Alaskan waters and ports.
Commissioner Crum offered details: “This was put together with a lot of statewide input, working with stakeholder groups, working with communities, getting their information, talking with them and this is trying to fill the gaps for plans and processes for fleet plans not taken care of. So, individuals can look at this and it standardizes. So, communities understand what these vessels coming in are expected to do, how we can we respond together, make sure that we are protecting Alaska, while at the same time responsibly developing our resources. So, it’s got information about protective measures and plans, travel and access, and part of that is there are two appendices tied to this, one of which is a protective plan that gives a lot of information about crew members as they enter the boat, certain health protocols as they go about it, and it also has an acknowledgement form that we want all vessel captains to actually sign and then turn-in. So, this actually shows a lot of documentation.”
The mandate is currently in-effect, and will be re-evaluated by May 20.
Additional guidance was also issued regarding Health Mandate 16, Phase One of the Reopen Alaska Responsibly Plan. Commissioner Crum introduced the guidance, while offering details on Attachment M which is regarding intrastate travel and outdoor day activity: “Amendment to Mandate 16, which we released yesterday, it’s part of our Reopening Alaska Responsibly Plan. So, we were able to get some more guidance together. The first one is about intrastate travel and outdoor activities. This is your family hopping in a single car together, go driving around Alaska, go enjoy the sight, for day recreation, members of other households may enjoy in outdoor activities as long as the group doesn’t exceed 20 people.”
Attachment L offers details on lodging and overnight camping: “We talk about lodging and overnight camping. This is overnight cabins for rental, RV parks, tent sites, privately owned campgrounds, bed-and-breakfasts, hotels, motels, and inns. This is protocols about social distancing, hygiene protocols, and cleaning protocols for all of these businesses that weren’t already deemed as essential under Attachment A, the critical workforce infrastructure plan.”
Attachment I provides guidance for childcare facilities: “Childcare and day camps, what we recommend is as we get more and more individuals opening business and going back to work, we have to make sure we take care of the day care situation along with some rules and guidelines and with schools being closed through the academic school year we want to make sure what we’ve got opportunities for parents to put their kids into certain activities and so some of that planning can continue.”
Attachment J discusses fishing charters: “This is for limiting the number to 25% of your license-type. So, for a six-pack license, 25% would be 1.5 people – round that up, you can take two people out, or you could fill the boat up with an entire household. So, this is what we want: Alaskans to have the opportunity to get out there, see the state, go out there and fill your freezer up and enjoy that.”
Attachment K serves to assist gyms and fitness facilities: “For our gyms and fitness centers, for this, the idea is to make sure you’ve got outdoor activities planned. This is 20 people or fewer, ten feet of space in-between individuals. Make sure it’s reservations. Try to plan in-advance for your groups. Have an outdoor space, try to enjoy this. As we work through Phase Two, some of these are going to increase capacity on a lot of these opportunities, and for gyms, we’re looking to do some indoor activity as well.”