The state of Alaska has released its guidance on the next phases of reopening, which take effect Friday morning. Starting Friday, most health mandates become advisories instead, with a few notable exceptions. Below is the full text of the state’s detailed guidance for phases 3 and 4 of its Reopen Alaska Responsibly plan.
Reopen Alaska Responsibly
Phase III/IV Guidance
There are a number of strategies and actions that individuals, businesses, and communities can take to help reduce the spread of the virus that causes COVID-19. This document outlines these strategies and provides resources Alaskans can use to keep themselves, their families, and their communities safe. Alaskans have a proud history of taking care of themselves and their communities during difficult times – Alaska wins when we work together.
Individual Actions
There is currently no vaccine to prevent infection with the virus that causes coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). The best way to prevent illness is to avoid being exposed to this virus. The virus is thought to spread mainly from person-to-person. It is spread:
- Between people who are in close contact with one another (within about 6 feet).
- Through respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughs, sneezes or talks.
o These droplets can land in the mouths or noses of people who are nearby or possibly be inhaled into the lungs.
- COVID-19 has been detected in persons who are not showing symptoms, and recent studies have suggested that COVID-19 may be spread by asymptomatic people.
It may be possible that a person can get COVID-19 by touching a surface or object that has the virus on it and then touching their own mouth, nose, or possibly their eyes.
The things you should do as an individual include:
1. Wash your hands often
a. Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after you have been in a public place, or after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing.
b. If soap and water are not readily available, use a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol. Cover all surfaces of your hands and rub them together until they feel dry.
c. Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
d. For homes without running water see Yukon-Kuskokwim Health Corporation’s recommendations for handwashing and disinfecting with household bleach:
2. Avoid close contact
a. Avoid close contact with people who are sick, even inside your home. If possible, maintain 6 feet between the person who is sick and other household members.
b. Put distance between yourself and other people outside of your home.
i. Remember that some people without symptoms may be able to spread virus.
ii. Stay at least 6 feet (about 2 arms’ length) from other people.
iii. Do not gather in groups and minimize your interactions with others.
iv. Stay out of crowded places and avoid mass gatherings.
v. Keeping distance from others is especially important for people who are at higher risk of getting very sick.
c. Keep your social circle small. If a stronger support network is needed, Alaskans may choose to expand their social circle to include just a few others. Expanding your social bubble can provide support as you continue to keep distance from others.
3. Cover your mouth and nose with a cloth face cover when around others
a. You could spread COVID-19 to others even if you do not feel sick. The cloth face cover is meant to protect other people in case you are infected.
b. Everyone should wear a cloth face cover when they have to go out in public, for example to the grocery store or to pick up other necessities.
i. Cloth face coverings should not be placed on young children under age 2, anyone who has trouble breathing, or is unconscious, incapacitated, or otherwise unable to remove the mask without assistance.
c. Continue to keep about 6 feet between yourself and others. The cloth face cover is not a substitute for social distancing.
4. Stay home if you feel ill, and always cover coughs and sneezes.
a. If you feel ill with a fever, cough, shortness of breath or other symptoms of COVID-19, stay home, call your healthcare provider before going in, and get tested for COVID-19.
b. If you are in a private setting and do not have on your cloth face covering, remember to always cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze or use the inside of your elbow.
c. Throw used tissues in the trash.
d. Immediately wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not readily available, clean your hands with a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol.
5. Clean and disinfect
a. Clean AND disinfect frequently touched surfaces daily. This includes tables, doorknobs, light switches, countertops, handles, desks, phones, keyboards, toilets, faucets, and sinks.
b. If surfaces are dirty, clean them. Use detergent or soap and water prior to disinfection, then use a household disinfectant. Most common EPA-registered household disinfectants will work.
i. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has released its List N Tool, a new web-based application (app) that allows smart phone users and others to quickly identify disinfectant products that meet EPA’s criteria for use against SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19.
There many other guidance documents to help individuals slow the spread of COVID and also keep themselves safe. The DHSS website often has new ones as does the CDC, but here are a few that cover frequently asked questions:
1. How to Protect Yourself & Others: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prevent-getting-sick/prevention.html
2. Cleaning and Disinfecting Your Home: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prevent-getting-sick/prevention.html
3. Social Distancing: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prevent-gettingsick/social-distancing.html
4. If You Are Sick or Caring for Someone: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/if-you-are-sick/index.html
5. Running Essential Errands: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/daily-lifecoping/essential-goods-services.html
6. Household checklist: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/daily-lifecoping/checklist-household-ready.html
7. Households living in close quarters: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/dailylife-coping/living-in-close-quarters.html
8. Living in shared housing: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/daily-lifecoping/shared-housing/index.html
Business Responsibilities
All businesses should assist individuals with personal mitigation strategies including:
1. Opportunities for frequent hand washing
2. Maintaining opportunities for 6 foot distancing between all non-family members.
a. This may include distanced tables, one way entrances, limited capacity services, and increased outdoor services.
3. Encourage face covering / masks.
4. Screening for people are ill and limiting entrance to those who are healthy.
5. Regular cleaning and extra attention to high touch surfaces. 6. Special accommodations for those at higher risk to help minimize their risk.
Except for as listed below in “Special Populations,” all mandates have been changed to advisories.
Before businesses open or expand, they should work through relevant CDC guidance and decision trees (examples below) to help assess risk and mitigate the risk of transmission. They are also encouraged to follow new industry standards, business best practices, and compliance with local mandates or restrictions.
It is the responsibility of businesses and organizations to continue to check CDC and industry guidance to minimize the risk of spreading COVID-19, and to continue to update their protocols as more is learned about the disease and community transmission levels change.
High Risk Populations and Congregate Settings: Persons in long term care facilities, those in the custody of the Department of Corrections, residents of remote and isolated villages or communities with minimal sanitation supplies such as running water or sewer, or those with crowded living conditions are at greater risk of COVID-19, or greater risk of more severe consequences of COVID-19. Every effort must be done to limit transmission in these facilities and geographic areas.an environment where a number of people reside, meet, or gather in close proximity for either a limited or extended period of time.
According to the CDC, these facilities must remain vigilant for COVID-19 among residents and staff in order to prevent spread and protect residents and staff from severe infections, hospitalizations, and death.
While these settings remain high-risk, the CDC recommends:
1. Implementing aggressive social distancing measures;
2. Canceling communal dining and group activities; and
3. Implementing visitor restrictions to restrict all visits except for certain compassionate care reasons.
Core practices that should remain in place once facilities begin to reopen include:
• Plan for visitor restrictions;
• Designate an infection control person to provide on-site management of infection control program;
• Have a plan for testing both residents and staff;
• Provide ongoing education to residents, staff, and visitors about COVID-19 and protective measures, including not having staff to work when ill;
• Have a staff management plan that includes non-punitive and flexible sick leave policies, staffing patterns in case of restrictions or shortage, and pre-shift screening;
• Provide supplies needed to adhere to infection prevention and control practices, including hand hygiene supplies, PPE, environmental cleaning and disinfection with EPAregistered, hospital-grade disinfectants;
• Have a plan for management of persons who are COVID-positive or status unknown which includes isolation areas, increased monitoring, and use of N95 respirators.
Restaurants and Bars: it is important to remember that until a vaccine or therapeutic drug becomes widely available, plans for reopening should include mitigation of the risk of spread. This decision tree is a quick reference tool from the CDC. When reopening or expanding business, restaurants and bars should:
1. Promote social distancing and healthy hygiene practices, such as handwashing and cloth face coverings. Examples include:
a. Provide drive-through, delivery, or curbside pick-up options, and provide outdoor seating as much as possible.
b. Provide physical guides to ensure that customers remain six feet apart, and physical barriers where maintaining distance is difficult (such as sneeze guards and partitions at host stands).
c. Use touch-free methods of communication, such as replacing “buzzers” with text notifications of table availability and allowing dine-in customers to order ahead.
d. Avoid any self-serve food or drink options such as buffets, salad bars, and drink stations.
2. Maintain high standards for cleaning, disinfection, and ventilation. Important actions include:
a. Cleaning and disinfecting frequently touched surfaces at least daily, and shared objects between use.
b. Use products that met EPA’s criteria for use against SARS-CoV-2.
c. Avoid sharing items as much as possible – use disposable or digital menus, single serving condiments, touchless payment methods, and disposable food service items. Sanitize pens between uses.
d. Ensure that ventilation systems operate property and where possible, increase circulation of outdoor air.
3. Implement a comprehensive staffing and operations plan to prevent spread of the virus.
a. Consider pre-shift screening of staff for symptoms (while protecting staff privacy);
b. Encourage sick staff to stay home and provide a sick leave policy that is flexible and non-punitive, as well as telework policies where possible.
c. Establish an action plan in the event that someone becomes sick – this should include contact tracing and notifications, notification of authorities, and closing and properly disinfecting affected areas.
Childcare: safely expanding capacity of childcare facilities is crucial to strengthen the ability of parents to work. The level of service offered may need to vary depending on the risk factors in the specific community – in some circumstances, providers may need to limit services to children of essential workers. In all cases, the following guidance should be considered:
1. Promote social distancing and healthy hygiene practices. Examples include:
a. Teach and reinforce handwashing for children and staff, and face coverings for staff.
b. Provide adequate supplies of soap, hand sanitizer with at least 60 percent alcohol, paper towels, and tissues. Children should be supervised if using hand sanitizer.
c. Restrict mixing between groups of children. Limit gatherings and events to those that support hygiene and distancing standards.
d. Either keep communal spaces closed, or stagger use and disinfect between uses.
e. Avoid sharing – plate childrens’ meals individually and use disposable food service items. Keep children’s belongings separated.
f. Ensure adequate supplies to minimize sharing of high-touch materials to the extent possible (art supplies, equipment etc. assigned to a single child) or limit use of supplies and equipment by one group of children at a time and clean and disinfect between uses.
g. Consider staggering arrival and drop-off times or putting in place other protocols to limit close contact with parents or caregivers as much as possible. Reduce immediate contact (such as hugging and holding hands) as much as possible.
2. Intensify standards for cleaning, disinfection, and ventilation. Important actions include:
a. Cleaning and disinfecting frequently touched surfaces at least daily, and shared objects between use.
b. Avoid use of items (for example, soft or plush toys) that are not easily cleaned, sanitized, or disinfected.
c. Ensure safe and correct application of disinfectants and keep products away from children.
d. Use products that met EPA’s criteria for use against SARS-CoV-2.
e. Ensure that ventilation systems operate property and where possible, increase circulation of outdoor air.
3. Implement a comprehensive staffing and operations plan to prevent spread of the virus.
a. Consider pre-shift screening of staff for symptoms (while protecting staff privacy);
b. Encourage sick staff to stay home and provide a sick leave policy that is flexible and non-punitive, as well as telework policies where possible.
c. Screen children upon arrival and encourage parents to keep sick children home.
d. Establish an action plan in the event that someone becomes sick – this should include contact tracing and notifications, notification of authorities, and closing and properly disinfecting affected areas.
Day Camps: these activities provide important peer-to-peer learning and support, as well as support for parents returning to work. However, the risk of community spread is significant. Mitigation measures are necessary until a vaccine or therapeutic drug becomes widely available. Camps may choose to limit operations depending on the transmission rates of the particular community.
1. Promote social distancing and healthy hygiene practices. Examples include:
a. Teach and reinforce handwashing for children and staff, and face coverings for staff. Face coverings should be encouraged for campers only when feasible, age-appropriate, and when social distancing is difficult.
b. Provide adequate supplies of soap, hand sanitizer with at least 60 percent alcohol, paper towels, and tissues. Children should be supervised if using hand sanitizer.
c. Limit mixing between groups and consider keeping the same groups of children and the same providers with each group every day.
d. Limit gatherings and events to those that support hygiene and distancing standards.
e. Space out seating and bedding to six feet apart.
f. Either keep communal spaces closed, or stagger use and disinfect between uses.
g. Avoid sharing – plate childrens’ meals individually and use disposable food service items. Keep children’s belongings separated.
h. Ensure adequate supplies to minimize sharing of high-touch materials to the extent possible (art supplies, equipment etc. assigned to a single child) or limit use of supplies and equipment by one group of children at a time and clean and disinfect between uses.
i. Consider limiting nonessential visitors, volunteers, and interactions with other groups.
j. Consider staggering arrival and drop-off times or putting in place other protocols to limit close contact with parents or caregivers as much as possible. Reduce immediate contact (such as hugging and holding hands) as much as possible.
2. Intensify standards for cleaning, disinfection, and ventilation. Important actions include:
a. Cleaning and disinfecting frequently touched surfaces at least daily, and shared objects between uses.
b. Ensure safe and correct application of disinfectants and keep products away from children.
c. Use products that met EPA’s criteria for use against SARS-CoV-2.
d. Ensure that ventilation systems operate property and where possible, increase circulation of outdoor air.
3. Implement a comprehensive staffing and operations plan to prevent spread of the virus.
a. Consider pre-shift screening of staff for symptoms (while protecting staff privacy);
b. Encourage sick staff to stay home and provide a sick leave policy that is flexible and non-punitive, as well as telework policies where possible.
c. Screen children upon arrival and encourage parents to keep sick children home.
d. Establish an action plan in the event that someone becomes sick – this should include contact tracing and notifications, notification of authorities, and closing and properly disinfecting affected areas. Identify an isolation area for anyone exhibiting symptoms as well as a procedure for safe transportation. Consider closing for a short time if a person who has been in the building is diagnosed with COVID-19.
Mass Transit: This essential service continues to carry a heightened risk of community exposure to the virus. As transportation resumes full service, the following measures can reduce the level of risk.
1. Implement a comprehensive staffing and operations plan to prevent spread of the virus.
a. Consider assigning workers who are at high risk of severe illness to duties that minimize contact with others, and conduct worksite hazard assessments to reduce workplace exposure, in conformity with Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) guidelines.
b. Consider pre-shift screening of staff for symptoms (while protecting staff privacy);
c. Send staff with symptoms home. Provide a sick leave policy that is flexible and non-punitive, as well as telework policies where possible.
d. Establish an action plan in the event that someone becomes sick – this should include contact tracing and notifications, notification of authorities, and closing and properly disinfecting affected areas.
2. Encourage social distancing.
a. Implement measures to physically separate or create distance between occupants – for example, barriers or markings indicating where occupants should stay to keep a six foot distance.
b. Install physical barriers between staff and public traffic areas where possible.
3. Promote healthy hygiene practices such as:
a. Cloth face coverings for employees and the public.
b. Provide adequate supplies including soap, hand sanitizer with at least 60 percent alcohol, paper towels, and no-touch trash cans.
c. Provide employees with PPE when possible.
4. Intensify cleaning, disinfection, and ventilation.
a. Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces at least daily, and between uses when possible.
b. Clean and disinfect operator areas between shifts.
c. Avoid sharing items (such as maps and pens) and use touchless payment, if possible.
d. Ensure that ventilation systems operate property and where possible, increase circulation of outdoor air.
Additional important guidance documents can be found at:
1. Businesses and Workplaces: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/organizations/businesses-employers.html. As workplaces resume operations it’s important to remember that the more an individual interacts with others, and the longer that interaction, the higher the risk of COVID-19 spread.
2. Gatherings and community events: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/large-events/index.html. Of note, large events pose greater risk of spread of COVID 19 and local permitting rules must be followed. For any gathering such as a concert, festival, etc., over 500 people where 6 feet distancing cannot be maintained at all times with facial coverings, the Division of Public Health should be consulted to discuss mitigation measures and safety plan.
3. Shared and Congregate Housing: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/shared-congregate-house/
4. Community and Faith Based Organizations: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/organizations/guidance-community-faith-organizations.html
5. Public Pools, Hot Tubs, and Water Playgrounds During COVID-19: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/parks-rec/aquatic-venues.html
6. Homeless Service Providers: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/homeless-shelters/plan-prepare-respond.html
Additional details can be found in “CDC Activities and Initiatives Supporting the COVID-19 Response and the President’s Plan for Opening America Up Again”: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/downloads/php/CDC-Activities-Initiatives-forCOVID-19-Response.pdf