Alaska is revising its policy for incoming travelers, starting Jun 5, 2020, requiring that they be tested for COVID-19 before boarding a plane to the state, instead of quarantining for 14 days upon arrival.
This policy change was announced by Governor Dunleavy on May 30, 2020.
- Travelers from out of state will need to be tested for COVID-19 within 72 hours of boarding a plane to Alaska.
- Travelers will be asked to provide test results and fill out paperwork when they arrive.
- Those who are unable to submit their complete paperwork — for example, if they lost their paperwork or test results while traveling — will be provided a test at airport terminals upon arrival.
- Instead of being tested at the airport, travelers may opt instead for a 14-day quarantine.
- DHSS contractors will be at any Alaska airport where flights arrive from the Lower 48 including: Anchorage, Fairbanks, Juneau, Sitka, Ketchikan, Wrangell and Petersburg.
Regarding overland travel from Canada or ferry travel, Governor Dunleavy said that state officials next week will discuss with different agencies and jurisdictions what kind of protocols may need to be in place.
The state will “strongly, strongly encourage” travelers to be tested before they come to Alaska “because if they come off the plane without a test, it may take a while for them to leave the terminal before they’re tested and we get the results. So, it’s going to be more of an inconvenience just because of the nature of the test and the time it takes for the test to determine if one is negative or positive” according to the Governor’s policy.
The state’s website, https://covid19.alaska.gov/health-mandates/ has NOT BEEN UPDATED YET with this policy change.
What can I do when I come to Alaska to visit Tanaku Alaska Fishing Lodge?
When you visit our Tanaku Fishing Lodge in Alaska you can still enjoy all our amenities: sportfishing, sightseeing, and relax in the great outdoors.
What precautions is Tanuku Alaska Fishing Lodge taking to protect visitors from COVID-19?
- Tanaku Lodge developed a COVID-19 plan 6 weeks ago and sent it to the governors office for review. A lot of our practices have been put in state mandates and guidelines. I have also shared our plan around the US and many operators on the East Coast. Guidelines and mandates are changing weekly.
- We have a electro static sanitizer for the boats and lodge.
- In the lodge the guests will be issued face masks along with hand sanitzer.
- We will review our plan with the guests upon arrival and encourage them to use face masks, practice social distancing.
- On the boats increased sanitation procedures are in place.
Do I need a face mask when I come to Alaska or to your fishing lodge?
To fly fish at our Alaska fishing lodge you will need your face mask.
How has COVID-19 impacted Alaska?
COVID-19 infections in Alaska are low. As of June 2, 2020, Alaska has 467 total cases and 10 deaths. Data is updated daily at the DHSS website http://dhss.alaska.gov/dph/Epi/id/Pages/COVID-19/default.aspx