The City of Kenai is making a number of changes to its management of this year’s Personal Use Dipnet Fishery, which opens July 10, in response to the COVID-19 public health emergency.
The City will no longer be accepting any form of payment other than credit cards. The change to touchless payments was made to reduce potential sources of exposure between city employees and the public. New credit card readers will be installed to allow customers to swipe their own cards and participants will no longer be required to sign credit card receipts. Intercoms that are similar to those used by banks in drive through windows will be used in the shacks to increase the distance between employees and the public to limit the spread of COVID-19.
City Manager Paul Ostrander: “This year, the city is focused on the health and safety of employees and the public. In previous years, we’ve asked participants to respect the beaches and treat them like your own. This year, we’re adding to that and asking that those who come to Kenai take steps to prevent transmission: keep your distance from others, wear face coverings when you are within six feet of others, wash hands and surfaces, and stay home when sick.”
New this year, the city will provide hand-washing stations in addition to portable toilets on both the north and south shores. The city will also provide dumpsters on the south beach and in the parking lot on the north beach this year.
Camping will be allowed on the beach. Campsites and tent sites should be spaced apart from other campsites of non-household members. The city strongly recommends participants adjust interactions to prevent spreading illness, including taking advantage of hand washing stations and bringing their own chairs and utensils, as well as hand sanitizer and paper towels and cleaning and disinfecting often. Camping is not allowed in the dunes.