Must Read Alaska is publishing updates relating to the Coronavirus COVID-19. Check for previous stories under the All Stories tab.
In this update: Anchorage, D.C. disaster declarations, ‘Meet Alaska’ cancelled, miners meeting called off
Anchorage: Anchorage Mayor Ethan Berkowitz announced an emergency declaration, allowing the municipality to request funds from the State of Alaska for services needed to address the COVID-19 pandemic. The first case was identified in Alaska today; the person is a cargo pilot who was transiting through the Ted Stevens International Airport.
The emergency declaration “allows the Municipality, through the Office of Emergency Management, to request assistance from the State of Alaska, including funds, services or materials deemed necessary to meet needs stemming from COVID-19.”
“Our strategy is to prepare and to position our resources to slow its advance and minimize its effect,” Berkowitz said.
D.C. emergency: Washington, D.C.vMayor Muriel Bowser declared a state of emergency Wednesday. Also, officials have closed the U.S. Capitol and nearby congressional buildings to the public, through April 1.
Only staff, lawmakers, media, and official business visitors will be allowed inside the buildings on Capitol Hill.
Meet Alaska: The annual gathering of the Alaska Support Industry Alliance, which focuses on companies providing support services to the resource industries, has been cancelled. It was scheduled for March 20.
Alaska Miners: The Alaska Miners Association has cancelled its Fairbanks conference for March 30-April 4.
Canadian Prime Minister’s wife: Prime Minister Justin Trudeau will work from home for the next 14 days, because his wife has tested positive for coronavirus. He has not been tested and has shown no symptoms.
