Daily Sitka Sentinel

Welcome to Sitka: You’re Quarantined

By SHANNON HAUGLAND
Sentinel Staff Writer

City staff and other community volunteers, wearing protective gear, were in the Sitka airport terminal Thursday and today, handing out COVID-19 information leaflets to arriving airline passengers.

The forms include information on the state mandate requiring passengers from out of state to self- quarantine for 14 days after arrival. The state also recommends those arriving from communities within the state where COVID has been confirmed to quarantine themselves.

The information handed out includes a link to ready.alaska.gov/form where travelers from outside the state can provide their travel history, as required.

“We’re urging people to comply with the requirements; this is critical in helping prevent the spread of COVID-19 across the state and in our community,” said Sara Peterson, city clerk and public information officer during the COVID pandemic. “We want citizens to comply with it; it’s important.”

She noted the pandemic situation is changing by the day, with new cases reported and the prospect of new regulations.

“We may see more of those this evening from the governor,” Peterson said, referring to a 5 p.m. press conference planned by Gov. Dunleavy.

Assembly member Thor Christianson, an EMT III volunteer at the fire hall, said there were only about 11 arriving passengers on this morning’s Alaska Airlines flight, and none of them seemed surprised to be receiving the handouts he gave them.

“It was pretty much little to no surprise,” he said. “I would be surprised if everybody didn’t know (the requirements). ... It was a little weird standing there with a face mask and gloves meeting people.”

Fire Chief Dave Miller, the city’s emergency manager, said he appreciates those who are volunteering to hand out the flyers to help the community prevent and slow the spread of the coronavirus.

“One of the ways we can help prevent the spread of the virus is by social distancing and hunkering down,” he said.

Assembly member Thor Christianson hands out fliers to people arriving at the Sitka Rocky Gutierrez Airport today. The COVID-19 warning is reprinted on Page 8. (Photo provided by Dave Miller)

The city is providing training on how to put on and take off the protective equipment, which includes eye protection, face mask and gloves.

“There’s quite a few people who have stepped up to volunteer in different ways,” the chief said.

The travel form says:

“Due to the rapid spread of COVID-19 and the high incidence of travel-related infection, the State of Alaska has instituted a mandatory 14-day quarantine for all incoming passengers. The potential for widespread transmission of COVID-19 by infected individuals entering Alaska threatens the health and well-being of Alaskans, as well as the infrastructure and security of the state. In an abundance of caution and to assist in flattening the curve regarding the spread of COVID-19 in Alaska, the State of Alaska, under its authority to protect the public health, is implementing advanced protocols to ensure all travelers arriving in Alaska participate in 14 consecutive days of self-quarantine to begin immediately upon arrival, allowing for travel from an airport or portage to the designated quarantine location.”

Travelers can fill in previous destinations and sign it electronically.

The other sheet of paper given to travelers is from the state Alaska Department of Health and Social Services, with links to the Centers for Disease Control and the Alaska Department of Health and Social Services websites.

“If you get sick within two weeks of arriving in Alaska, please seek medical advice as soon as you can,” it says. “If you have one, call your health provider. If you don’t know a provider, call 211.”

The flyer also says:

– stay home for 14 days and remain out of public places; don’t go to work, school or child care.

– check yourself for a fever (100.4 or greater) in the morning and evening, and remain alert for cough or shortness of breath.

– if you develop symptoms, notify your health provider.

“If you are seeking care, notify your health provider if you have any of the following symptoms: a fever of 100.4 or greater, cough or shortness of breath,” the ADHSS flyer says. “Contact your health provider BEFORE YOU GO IN. It is important you tell the provider’s office that you have traveled outside Alaska recently.”