Updated May 22, 2020
Phases 3 & 4 of Reopen Alaska Responsibly
The Governor has combined and initiated Phases 3 and 4 of Reopen Alaska Responsibly as of May 22, 2020. All businesses, houses of worship, libraries and museums, recreational activities, and sports activities can open as part of this phase.
The following exceptions/restrictions/closures apply:
- 14-day quarantine for interstate and international travel to Alaska remains in place, subject to weekly review and further reevaluation by June 2, 2020.
- All senior centers, prisons, and institutions will continue to have restricted access.
- Any proposed large public gatherings such as festivals and concerts need to consult first with public health before scheduling.
- The State will continue to work with large industries to protect their workforce and the communities in which they operate.
- Communities may still elect to keep in place travel restrictions.
- Some Alaskan communities may wish to extend restrictions on non-essential travel into their communities for health reasons. Check with your local community.
- Health Mandates 15 (Elective Medical/Dental), 17 (Commercial Fishing), and 18 (Intrastate Travel) remain in effect.
Updated May 8, 2020
Phase 2 of Reopen Alaska Responsibly
The Governor has initiated Phase 2 of Reopen Alaska Responsibly as of May 8 and has released guidance for businesses that are permitted to reopen. The following businesses can reopen, with limitations, as part of Phase 2:
- Restaurants and bars
- Retail
- Theaters, bowling alleys, bingo halls
- Personal services
- Non-public facing businesses
- Public facing businesses
- Fishing charters
- Social, religious, and other gatherings
- Gyms, fitness, and recreational facilities
- Lodges and camping, day camps, swimming pools
- Intrastate travel
- Graduation ceremonies
- Libraries, museums, and archives
- Organized sports and activities
- Licensed childcare
Updated April 24, 2020
Order for Certain Resumed Operations
AK issued a Health Mandate 016, effective April 24, 2020, which allows for resumed operations of many businesses (including certain in-person operations) if specific requirements as set forth in the Mandate and its 11 Appendices are met. Unless explicitly modified by the Mandate, prior Mandates remain in effect unless and until they are amended, rescinded, or suspended by further order of the Governor.
Updated: April 9, 2020
Updated Health Mandates 011 & 012
Alaska has updated Health Mandate 011 for Social-Distancing and Health Mandate 012 for Intrastate Travel to keep them in effect through April 21, 2020. Both Health Mandates had an Attachment A, which was re-designated as the Alaska Essential Services and Critical Workforce Infrastructure Order. The order itself has not been updated since its March 27, 2020 issuance.
Alaska Essential Services and Critical Workforce Infrastructure Order
Executive Summary
On March 27, 2020, the Governor of Alaska issued its Alaska Essential Services and Critical Workforce Infrastructure Order mandating all businesses in Alaska that are not Essential Services and Critical Infrastructure industries to cease all activities at facilities within the State except for Minimum Basic Operations. The order adopts the CISA List and identifies other categories of Essential Services and Critical Infrastructure industries.
Summary of Order
- The Alaska Essential Services and Critical Workforce Infrastructure Order was issued on March 27, 2020 (formerly “Attachment A” to a prior Health Mandate 011 for Social-Distancing and Health Mandate 012 for Intrastate Travel).
- Health Mandate 011 for Social-Distancing effect at 5:00 p.m. on March 28, 2020 and remains in effect until the Governor rescinds or modifies the order. It will be reevaluated by April 11, 2020.
- Health Mandate 012 for Intrastate Travel went into effect at 8:00 a.m. on March 28, 2020 and remains in effect until the Governor of Alaska rescinds or modifies the order. Health Mandate 012 will be reevaluated by April 21, 2020.
- Pursuant to the order, all businesses in Alaska that are not Essential Services and Critical Infrastructure industries must cease all activities at facilities within the State except Minimum Basic Operations or employee/contractor activities at their own residences (i.e., working from home).
- Minimum Basic Operations include the following, while complying with Social Distancing Requirements:
- The minimum necessary activities to maintain the value of the business’s inventory, ensure security, process payroll and employee benefits, or for related functions.
- The minimum necessary activities to facilitate employees of the business being able to continue to work remotely from their residences.
- Regarding Essential Services and Critical Infrastructure, the order incorporates by reference the CISA List and also identifies the following:
- Healthcare Operations
- Essential Infrastructure
- Financial Services Sector
- First Responders
- Essential Government Functions
- Essential Business, which includes:
- Grocery and other food retail establishments
- Food and agriculture
- Necessity of life services
- Media
- Auto and transportation facilities
- Hardware stores
- Safety, sanitation, and infrastructure services
- Postal and shipping services
- Educational institutions
- Laundry services
- Restaurants with restricted service
- Business that supply products to support work from home
- Businesses that supply other essential businesses
- Transportation of goods
- Private transportation providers
- Home-based care
- Residential facilities
- Professional services
- Childcare facilities
- All other businesses that can maintain Social Distancing Requirements and prohibit congregations of 10 or fewer people at a time
Social Distancing Requirements
For purposes of the order, Social Distancing Requirements include:
- maintaining at least six-foot social distancing from other individuals,
- washing hands with soap and water for at least twenty seconds as frequently as possible or using hand sanitizer containing at least 60% alcohol,
- covering coughs or sneezes (into the sleeve or elbow, not hands),
- regularly cleaning high-touch surfaces, and
- not shaking hands.
Enforcement
A violation of a State COVID-19 Mandate may subject a business or organization to an order to cease operations and/or a civil fine of up to $1,000 per violation. A person or organization that fails to comply may, under certain circumstances, also be criminally prosecuted for reckless endangerment punishable with imprisonment of up to a year. Additionally, a misdemeanor offense by person may lead to fines of up to $25,000 and a misdemeanor offense resulting in a death by a business organization may lead to a fine of $2,500,000 or $500,000 for a misdemeanor not resulting in a death.
CISA List
Critical infrastructure sectors listed in CISA guidance (check list at link above for detailed list of worker functions):
- Healthcare / Public Health
- Law Enforcement, Public Safety, and Other First Responders
- Food and Agriculture
- Energy — Natural Gas, Natural Gas Liquids (NGL), Propane, and Other Liquid Fuels
- Water and Wastewater
- Transportation and Logistics
- Public Works and Infrastructure Support Services
- Communications and Information Technology
- Other Community- or Government-Based Operations and Essential Functions
- Critical Manufacturing
- Hazardous Materials
- Financial Services
- Chemical
- Defense Industrial Base
- Commercial Facilities
- Residential/Shelter Facilities and Services
- Hygiene Products and Services