At least 19 Alaska residents are stranded in Peru because of travel restrictions resulting from the COVID-19 outbreak, according to Senator Lisa Murkowski.
In a video posted to Twitter and Facebook on Sunday, Senator Murkowski expressed concern for Alaskans who are unable to return home due to COVID-19-related travel restrictions. In particular, she focused on 19 individuals currently in Peru.
Senator Murkowski: “We’ve been hearing from families all over the state concerned about loved ones that may be in other parts of the world, and not being able to get back home. Most notably, some 19 Alaskans that are still in Peru with very hard situations in terms of gaining access out.”
She continued to note that she and Senator Dan Sullivan have discussed the issue, and that both are working “aggressively” alongside the U.S. State Department to address the issue. She encouraged travelers to register with the Smart Travelers Enrollment Program, which allows federal officials to contact and provide transportation for people trying to return to the U.S. from abroad.
Senator Murkowski: “The most important takeaway is to make sure that everyone who is in Peru, or in other locations outside of the country seeking to come back, they have registered as part of the S.T.E.P. program. It doesn’t necessarily have to be the individual who is there. It could be a family member, it could be our offices. So, make sure that we know how to contact them so that we can provide for transportation or making sure that individuals are on the manifest.”
She said that the State Department is working on sorting both commercial and chartered flights for these Alaskans in coming days.
