A new Governor’s Office policy, intended to keep Covid-19 from spreading in the workplace, says that workers who are experiencing Covid-19 symptoms or who have been a close contact with a person who is Covid-19 positive, must be tested before returning to their duty station.
The State of Alaska considers someone a close contact if they were unmasked and within six feet of someone who was positive with Covid-19. If a person is fully vaccinated, unless that person is exhibiting symptoms, they are not considered a close contact, though they are encouraged to monitor their symptoms and consider getting testing four days after an exposure, the policy reads.
Staffers who have been a close contact should work remotely, monitor for symptoms and get tested four days after exposure. A negative test clears the staff person to return to work.
The Governor’s Office has contracted with SEARHC for testing in Juneau, and Beacon OHSS, Inc., for testing in Anchorage, where tests are done at the Anchorage Ted Stevens International Airport. The Alaska State Legislature has arranged for on-site Capitol Building testing during the Special Session.
