On Wednesday, the state released its updated health mandate addressing interstate and international travel during the COVID-19 pandemic. Under the revised mandate, travelers who test negative for COVID-19 within 72 hours of boarding a plane to Alaska will be able to waive the state’s 14-day quarantine requirement for anyone arriving from out of state.
Note: The state has updated its health mandate since the original revision was published June 3; this is the most up-to-date version.
Revised: June 3, 2020
By: Governor Mike Dunleavy
Commissioner Adam Crum, Alaska Department of Health and Social
To prevent the spread of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19), the State of Alaska is issuing a revision to its tenth health mandate based on its authority under the Public Health Disaster Emergency Declaration signed by Governor Mike Dunleavy on March 11, 2020.
This revised Mandate goes into effect 12:01 AM June 6, 2020.
The purpose of this Mandate is to provide clear requirements related to international and interstate travel, while still working to provide sufficient mitigation factors to prevent, slow, and otherwise disrupt the spread of the virus that causes COVID-19.
Health Mandate 10.1 – International and Interstate Travel – Order for Self-Quarantine
Effective 12:01 am June 6, 2020:
Applicability: This mandate applies to all persons entering the state of Alaska, whether resident, worker, or visitor.
Requirements for Residents or Visitors: All residents or visitors arriving in Alaska from outside the state must self-quarantine for 14 days unless the traveler falls under one of the following four categories (a, b, c, or d, below):
A. Pre-travel molecular-based test for SARS-CoV2:
1. The traveler produces a molecular-based test for SARS-CoV2 result showing that the traveler tested negative for COVID-19 within 72 hours before departure to Alaska;OR
2. The traveler produces a molecular-based test for SARS-CoV2 result showing that the traveler tested negative for COVID-19 within five days before departure to Alaska and the traveler obtains a second molecular-based test for SARS-CoV2 upon arrival in Alaska, and minimize interactions until the second test result is received and that test is also negative;
3. All travelers with negative results from a pre-travel test will need to minimize interactions until (1) they receive negative results from the second test for COVID-19; (2) for 14 days after arrival; or (3) they leave Alaska, whichever is soonest. If a second test is needed, they will receive a voucher upon arrival
B. Molecular-based Test for SARS-CoV2 upon arrival:
1. The traveler obtains a molecular-based test for SARS-CoV2 upon arrival in Alaska that shows the traveler is negative for COVID-19. The traveler must self-quarantine, at their own expense, while waiting for the test results. The traveler will receive a voucher for a second test that must occur within 7-14 days after arrival, and should minimize interactions until the result from the second test shows the traveler is negative for COVID-19.
2. If the molecular-based test for SARS-CoV2 comes up positive, the traveler must isolate at their own expense, and will not be able to travel unless cleared by public health.
C. Prior confirmed positive results:
1. No molecular-based test for SARS-CoV2 is required for either immediately before travel or upon arrival, if all three (3) of the following conditions are met:
1. The traveler shows evidence of previously positive results of a molecular-based test for SARS-CoV2 that occurred at least three weeks prior to arrival in Alaska; and
2. The traveler is currently asymptomatic; and
3. The traveler can show a medical provider’s note of recovery.
D. Alaska Residents returning from trips of five days or less: Alaska residents who travel out of state for a period of five days or less are not required to be tested before leaving (note: destination state or nation may have testing requirements) or prior to returning to the state.
Upon returning to Alaska, residents in category “c”, must either:
1. Self-quarantine for 14 days upon arrival, with no requirement for testing;OR
2. Obtain a molecular-based test for SARS-CoV2 upon arrival in Alaska that shows that the resident is negative for COVID-19. The resident must self-quarantine while waiting for the test results. The resident will receive a voucher for a second test that must occur within 7-14 days after arrival, and should minimize interactions until the results from the second test shows the resident is negative for COVID-19.
Requirements for Critical infrastructure employee travel:
A. All workers arriving in Alaska from outside the state as part of critical infrastructure workforce as outlined in the Alaska Essential Services and Critical Workforce Infrastructure Order (formerly Attachment A) falls under this section and does not qualify for the protocols in Section II.
B. The employee must follow their company’s reviewed community protective plan on file with the State that includes testing and/or quarantine provisions. The categories for the protective plans are below:
1. Protective Plans pursuant to the Alaska Essential Services and Critical Infrastructure Order: Critical infrastructure is vital to keeping Alaska safe, and, as a result, businesses and employees of critical infrastructure industries must take special care to protect their staff and operations during this pandemic. If your business is included in the Alaska Essential Services and Critical Workforce Infrastructure Order (formerly Attachment A), and your workers must travel to enter Alaska, you must submit a plan or protocol for maintaining critical infrastructure to the akcovidplans@ak-prepared.com. This plan must outline how you will avoid the spread of COVID-19 and not endanger the lives of the communities in which you operate, of others who serve as a part of that infrastructure, or the ability of that critical infrastructure to function.
1. Companies that have previously submitted plans do not need to submit another; they can proceed under their current plans that have been reviewed by the State.
2. Arriving commercial fishing vessel crewmembers or independent harvesters must follow the procedures in Health Mandate 017 – Protective Measures for Independent Commercial Vessels.
3. Arriving seafood processing workers must follow the procedures in Health Mandate 010 Appendix 01 – Enhanced Protective Measures for Seafood Processing Workers.
Protocol
1. Pursuant to the Governor’s declaration, the State of Alaska hereby orders the following:Prior to arrival in any community in Alaska from another state or nation, you must:
1. Read the available information about safely traveling to Alaska.
2. Complete the State of Alaska Travel Declaration Form online and submit. Please print a copy or have electronic proof with you at your port of entry. If you are unable to complete the form online, paper copies will be available to complete at your port of entry.If receiving a molecular-based test for SARS-CoV2 upon arrival, register with the appropriate testing site.
Other info
https://covid19.alaska.gov/travelers/
https://covid19.alaska.gov/faq/
Alaska Essential Services and Critical Workforce Infrastructure Order (formerly Attachment A) https://gov.alaska.gov/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/Alaska-Essential-Services-and-Critical-Workforce-Infrastructure-Formerly-Attachment-A-05.05.2020.pdf
Health Mandate 10: Appendix 01 https://covid19.alaska.gov/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/COVID-MANDATE-10-Appendix-01.pdf
Health Mandate 17 (HM 17) https://covid19.alaska.gov/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/05272020-COVID-MANDATE-017-Independent-Commercial-Fishing-Vessels-REVISED.pdf
HM 17: Appendix 01 Alaska Protective Plan for Commercial Fishing Vessels https://covid19.alaska.gov/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/COVID-MANDATE-017-Appendix-01-Protective-Plan-for-Independent-Commercial-Fish.pdf
HM 17: Appendix 02 Mandate 7 Acknowledgement Form https://covid19.alaska.gov/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/COVID-MANDATE-017-Appendix-02-Acknowledgement-Form-REVISED.pdf
HM 17: Appendix 03 Independent Commercial Fishing Harvesters https://covid19.alaska.gov/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/05162020-COVID-MANDATE-017-Appendix-03-Protective-Plan-for-Independent-Harvesters.pdf