Starting Friday, the City and Borough of Juneau is reinstating 50 percent capacity limits at bars and gymnasiums. Indoor gatherings are once again limited to 50 people or less, with masks required, unless the gathering has an approved Covid-19 mitigation plan on file with the city. Already, the city has made masks mandatory in city-owned buildings, including the Augustus Brown Swimming Pool.
This, in a small city that has seen about 65 percent of its residents completing their vaccinations against Covid-19, and over 200 new vaccinations being administered per week. Over 78 percent of Juneau residents have at least one shot of the two-shot series. In addition, more than 1,545 Juneau residents have had a bout with the virus, and three have died, with their deaths attributed to the virus.
It appears herd immunity is difficult to attain even in such a compliant community.
Health officials say that there’s an uptick in coronavirus cases in Juneau, sparking these new mandates. Juneau saw 29 new cases of Covid-19 on July 20-21, and 16 new cases on July 22.
In addition to the capacity measures, personal service businesses in Juneau must now require appointments, and cannot have waiting areas inside.
The Legislature will gavel into special session on Monday, Aug. 2, but it’s not certain there will be many legislators in Juneau as the first day is predicted to be a technical session, with no quorum to conduct business.
