Mayor Ethan Berkowitz has ordered Anchorage residents to stay home, except when they need to go to critically important jobs, or to buy groceries, or receive or provide health care. He labeled it an “emergency hunker down order.” Details of his “shelter-in-place” order are linked below.
The mayor has broad powers under the current state of emergency, but there is no penalty specified for those who disregard it.
“On the limited occasions when individuals leave home, they should maintain social distancing of at least six feet from any person outside their household whenever possible. Individuals are also encouraged to practice recommended hygiene, including regular hand washing,” his order says.
Those who are homeless are exempt but are urged to seek shelter and Berkowitz asked shelter providers to make shelter available. However, they need to keep clients six feet apart.
Stores are also being asked to make sure shoppers remain six feet apart, including when they are in line to cash out.
Anyone more likely to be contagious with COVID-l9 should reduce contact with others even further, he said by not leaving home except to obtain medical care or to get fresh air.
People who are more likely to be contagious include individuals exhibiting symptoms of COVID—l9 (including coughing. shortness of breath, and fever) and individuals who have recently traveled.
Individuals who have recently travelled outside the Municipality are advised, in accordance with CDC guidelines to stay at home as much as possible for 14 days. Household members of those who are possibly contagious should implement these more stringent guidelines as well, he said.
