Alaska Senate votes to extend virus disaster declaration

JUNEAU, Alaska (AP) — The Alaska Senate approved legislation Tuesday that would extend Gov. Mike Dunleavy's public health disaster emergency declaration over the coronavirus.

The bill, introduced at Dunleavy's request, still must be considered by the House.

The bill would extend the declaration issued March 11 until Sept. 1, and call for regular reports from the administration on how money was spent to respond to the virus. The bill, as initially proposed, called for a one-year extension.

The measure also would allow Lt. Gov. Kevin Meyer, after consultation with the state health commissioner, to have the state primary or a special statewide election this year held by mail. Senate Minority Leader Tom Begich raised questions about the logistics of this. The bill would allow the state elections director to adopt regulations needed to carry out the provision.

The primary is scheduled for August. On Wednesday, the state Supreme Court is set to hear arguments on whether an effort to recall Dunleavy should advance. If it does, recall supporters hope to gather enough signatures to force a recall election.

NEW CASES

Among cases of coronavirus announced in Alaska were two in Ketchikan and one person in Juneau who was in a critical care unit.

The Juneau patient had traveled to both Oregon and Washington state, and state health officials believe that was the source of the virus, according to a release from the City and Borough of Juneau.

Public health officials in Juneau are working with the person’s family to determine what contacts they had. The nurses will then reach out to people who have had extended contact within 48 hours of when the person experiences symptoms like cough, fever and shortness of breath.

Ketchikan officials announced on Facebook that two people who do not have a recent history of travel sought testing after experiencing the symptoms.

They self-quarantined, and Ketchikan public health officials will monitor them to ensure self-isolation. Public health nurses will investigate and inform people who might have come in contact with them.

Of Alaska’s confirmed cases, Ketchikan’s total of eight represents nearly 20% of the cases.

“HUNKER DOWN” ORDER

Alaska's capital city has issued a “hunker down” order for residents in an effort to limit the spread of the coronavirus, with businesses considered nonessential also ordered to close to the public.

The order was to take effect at 5 p.m. Tuesday and last for two weeks. It orders Juneau residents to stay at home as much as possible, except to work in critical jobs, seek health care, groceries or other goods deemed critical and get fresh air without contacting others. People, when they do venture out, are to stay at least 6 feet (1.8 meters) from others outside their household when possible.

An extensive list of businesses deemed critical include hospitals, those engaged with critical infrastructure, such as utilities, public transportation and barge services; grocery stores; gas stations; banks; hardware stores; hotels; mailing or shipping services and laundromats.

Marijuana retailers also are on the list. Industry officials have expressed concern that temporarily shuttering shops could lead people to buy cannabis on the black market.

Other communities in Alaska have issued similar “hunker down” orders.