Assembly seeks public comment as it considers Gov’s reopening plan
The Juneau Assembly will consider whether or not to moderate Governor Mike Dunleavy’s plan to “Reopen Alaska” during its Regular Assembly Meeting on Monday, April 27, at 7 p.m. The Assembly encourages Juneau businesses and organizations listed in State Health Mandate 16 to wait for the outcome of Monday night’s meeting before committing to reopening.
The Assembly also encourages the public to weigh in on State Health Mandate 16 (read it here) by emailing comments to [email protected]. The mandate allows certain businesses – like restaurants, retail shops, personal services, public and non-public facing businesses, fishing charters, childcare and days camps, and gyms – to reopen starting April 24 on a limited basis under certain conditions and guidance. Each type of business has its own requirements for reopening (read them here). Most require universal face covering, social distancing, and cleaning protocols.
Cumulatively, 27 people in Juneau have gotten sick from COVID-19 since March 10; at least 18 have recovered. Five cases are a result of community transmission, 21 individuals got sick after being in close contact with someone else who had tested positive for COVID-19, and one person got the virus while traveling outside Alaska in a location with known COVID-19 cases. Additionally, of those 27 cumulative cases, seven are considered “a pocket,” all employees at Lemon Creek Correctional Center.
The Assembly thanks the community for keeping Juneau safe and slowing the spread of COVID-19. Juneau residents should continue to follow public health guidance regarding handwashing, staying 6 feet apart from others, staying home as much as possible, avoiding touching your face, and using a cloth face covering. Any type of economy reopening is contingent upon the community maintaining its vigilance.
If you have new symptoms, even mild ones, contact your health care provider or call the local COVID-19 Screening Hotline at 586-6000 daily, noon to 6 p.m. Testing will be arranged if appropriate. Symptoms of COVID-19 include cough, chills, difficulty breathing, diminished sense of taste or smell, diarrhea, fatigue, fever, headache, muscle/joint aches, nausea, rash, chills with shivering, runny nose, sore throat, or increased phlegm production.
For more local news, information, and resources to help keep Juneau safe and healthy, go to juneau.org/covid-19 and Bartlett Hospital’s COVID-19 page.