The Four Phases of Anchorage's Plan to "Reopen" the City
April 21, 2020
Anchorage Mayor Ethan Berkowitz reported on Monday, April 20, 2020, his plan to reopen as the Coronavirus continues to spread throughout the city.
The plan is based on four phases and has public health and epidemiology metrics that would allow the transition from one phase to the other. To be able to start the first phase there must be a low trend on contagion for at least 14 days, in addition to having a reinforcement in Anchorage's ability to respond to the pandemic. If the virus continues to spread, the regulations will become stricter, Berkowitz said.
Cases in Anchorage and Alaska peaked in early to mid-April, and in the last few days they have stabilized. "If case numbers do not fall for a couple of weeks, we know the disease isn't in remission," Berkowitz said.
First phase: Contains the opening of some non-essential businesses, including restaurants that can operate with appropriate distancing, and it would allow groups of up to 20 people.
At this time, there is no exact date for when Anchorage would start the first phase. Cases would have to have a downward trend for 14 days, and testing to detect the virus should be widely available to citizens first.
Meanwhile Alaska’s Governor, Mike Dunleavy, provided more specific time to reopen things in the state. He confirmed that businesses like hairdressers and nail salons could open next week. In the meantime, Mayor Berkowitz gave no details on this, but claimed that business will begin to open soon if cases subside.
For this first phase face masks will remain highly recommended and people will be asked to limit travel away from home. Public facilities such as gyms, swimming pools, museums, libraries, and playgrounds will remain closed.
Phase two: A step to phase two would require 42 days of decreasing cases in the city, along with a large number of tests to detect the virus available, at this stage more businesses could be opened, including sports and recreational facilities, public facilities and bars.
Health precautions are maintained, such as frequent hand washing and social distancing. Travelling is not yet recommended.
Third phase: For the second to last phase the remaining schools and workplaces are opened, but they are expected to take precautions. Traveling would open.
This phase will not be activated until there are no longer cases of widespread community transmission.
Fourth phase: It has been given the name "new normal" and would not come into force until there is a vaccine and antiviral treatments.
Berkowitz emphasized that there will be no timelines for the transition from one phase to the next, data from positive cases of Coronavirus and hospitalizations will determine how Anchorage residents will begin to live in the "new normal."
by Sol de Medianoche
Anchorage Mayor Ethan Berkowitz reported on Monday, April 20, 2020, his plan to reopen as the Coronavirus continues to spread throughout the city.
The plan is based on four phases and has public health and epidemiology metrics that would allow the transition from one phase to the other. To be able to start the first phase there must be a low trend on contagion for at least 14 days, in addition to having a reinforcement in Anchorage's ability to respond to the pandemic. If the virus continues to spread, the regulations will become stricter, Berkowitz said.
Cases in Anchorage and Alaska peaked in early to mid-April, and in the last few days they have stabilized. "If case numbers do not fall for a couple of weeks, we know the disease isn't in remission," Berkowitz said.
First phase: Contains the opening of some non-essential businesses, including restaurants that can operate with appropriate distancing, and it would allow groups of up to 20 people.
At this time, there is no exact date for when Anchorage would start the first phase. Cases would have to have a downward trend for 14 days, and testing to detect the virus should be widely available to citizens first.
Meanwhile Alaska’s Governor, Mike Dunleavy, provided more specific time to reopen things in the state. He confirmed that businesses like hairdressers and nail salons could open next week. In the meantime, Mayor Berkowitz gave no details on this, but claimed that business will begin to open soon if cases subside.
For this first phase face masks will remain highly recommended and people will be asked to limit travel away from home. Public facilities such as gyms, swimming pools, museums, libraries, and playgrounds will remain closed.
Phase two: A step to phase two would require 42 days of decreasing cases in the city, along with a large number of tests to detect the virus available, at this stage more businesses could be opened, including sports and recreational facilities, public facilities and bars.
Health precautions are maintained, such as frequent hand washing and social distancing. Travelling is not yet recommended.
Third phase: For the second to last phase the remaining schools and workplaces are opened, but they are expected to take precautions. Traveling would open.
This phase will not be activated until there are no longer cases of widespread community transmission.
Fourth phase: It has been given the name "new normal" and would not come into force until there is a vaccine and antiviral treatments.
Berkowitz emphasized that there will be no timelines for the transition from one phase to the next, data from positive cases of Coronavirus and hospitalizations will determine how Anchorage residents will begin to live in the "new normal."
by Sol de Medianoche