Juneau will enact limits on gatherings, gyms and indoor bar service due to COVID-19 spread

Updated: July 23, 2021 Published: July 23, 2021

Employees of Devil's Club Brewing in Juneau, Alaska serve hot dogs between the brewery's tanks on Sunday, July 4, 2021. The brewery is located on the route of the Fourth of July parade in Alaska's capital city. (James Brooks / ADN)

JUNEAU — Officials in Juneau on Thursday announced restrictions aimed at curbing rising COVID-19 cases in Alaska’s capital city, including limiting capacity at gyms and indoor service at bars to 50%.

Under the measures, set to take effect at noon Friday, indoor gatherings will be limited to 50 people with masks required, unless a COVID-19 mitigation plan has been approved by emergency operations leaders or everyone is fully vaccinated, according to the city’s announcement.

Personal service businesses are to require appointments and have no waiting areas, and officials are recommending restaurants reduce capacity to ensure distance between dining parties, according to the statement.

This comes with the city poised to welcome the first large cruise ship of the season on Friday.

[Sitka grapples with spread of COVID-19 as Alaska sees continued rise in cases]

About 74% of Juneau residents 12 or older are fully vaccinated against COVID-19, according to the state health department.

Thursday’s statement from the city said Juneau had 80 active COVID-19 cases, 72 of which involved residents.