Anchorage Mayor announces he will extend “Hunker Down” order May 5
April 15, 2020
During the Assembly meeting on Tuesday, April 14th, Anchorage Mayor, Ethan Berkowitz pointed out that he will extend the “Hunker Down” order until May 5. Berkowitz said the transmission rate of coronavirus in Anchorage has slowed down, "this indicates that the efforts we have madehave been very successful, and we will continue with them,” he said. Berkowitz had in the past requested that the emergency declaration period be extended until November 15, in proportion with what the Alaskan Legislature approved for the governor, Mike Dunleavy. to allow for a quick response and react to the health emergency needs required to deal with the COVID-19 virus in the municipality. The Emergency Order includes an update to the "Hunker Down” order for Anchorage residents, extending it until 11:59 p.m. on May 5. On the other hand, the Emergency Order that protects personal protective equipment and prohibits certain non-urgent medical procedures would be extended until 11:59 p.m. on April 19th, at which time a new order will be issued to indicate which elective medical procedures may be resumed. As for the Emergency Order that waived baggage fees, it runs until 11:59 p.m. on June 5, and it also allows companies to temporarily provide customers with plastic bags. Berkowitz's chief of staff, Jason Bockenstedt, said that there are several changes to the new "Hunker Down" order, for example non-essential companies may now have two staff members in the building to perform basic work, such as receiving mail but may not operate via curbside or delivery service model at the moment. The City of Anchorage and health care providers have made progress in reducing the spread of COVID-19, increased contact tracking capacity, collected personal protective equipment, and worked with the State and hospitals to increase bed availability. Studios claim that by "Hunkering Down” as much as possible, Anchorage residents are flattening the curve. Public health experts confirm that COVID-19 continues to pose a significant risk to human health and safety, the virus spreads easily from person to person, and causes significant health complications, including death. The immediate removal of physical distancing restrictions would likely result in an increase of COVID-19 cases, and this would also saturate the health care capacity in the city of Anchorage. It is highly recommended that residents wear fabric masks outside their house, so fabric and sewing shops can now offer curbside pick-up. Companies are prohibited from allowing asymptomatic employees (people who have the virus but do not have symptoms) to work and should suggest that all employees wear a cloth mask. by Sol de Medianoche |