Alaska Governor Mike Dunleavy has taken the strongest measures yet in trying to stem the spread of Covid-19, the coronavirus. He is putting restrictions on public interaction, and restrictions on in-state travel.
In an announcement Friday (March 27), Dunleavy has mandated that all people not engaged in essential health care services, public government services, and essential business activities remain in their homes -- or, if outside, (walking, hiking, biking, etc.), maintain a minimum of six feet from anyone who is not a family member.
To facilitate mandated social distancing, the governor is prohibiting people from participating in public or private gatherings that include non-household members, regardless of the number of individuals involved. This includes church, graduations, weddings and funerals.
The governor has also ordered the closure of non-essential businesses. Those are all businesses not listed in the “Alaska Essential Services and Critical Workforce Infrastructure Order." Non-essential businesses may continue to operate only if all employees work from home.
The social distancing mandate goes into effect at 5 p.m. on Saturday (March 28).
If unavailable to pick up or use a delivery service, essential activities, such as going for gasoline, the pharmacy, grocery store, bank, laundromat, and the veterinarian can be done, if a six-foot distance is maintained while out of the home.
Meanwhile, the Intra-State Travel mandate goes into effect at 8 a.m. Saturday. It prohibits any travel between communities in the state, unless it is to support critical infrastructure or critical personal needs.
A link to the mandates and more information:
