Alaska allows some businesses to reopen with limitations
Alaska allows some businesses to reopen with limitations
Marsha Howard, right, helps Jason Gjertsen at the Work & Rugged Gear Store in Sitka, Alaska, Friday, April 24, 2020. Howard has been following state recommendations by encouraging customers to phone in orders and by allowing only three people at a time inside the store, using face masks and using disinfectants on surfaces. (James Poulson/The Daily Sitka Sentinel via AP)
A man stands outside Art Sutch’s photography store in downtown Juneau on Friday, April 24, 2020. Sutch, background, decided to close his downtown location of 25 years due to the lack of a tourist season because of COVID-19. Sutch said in a Facebook post he would continue photography, digital and printing work at a personal studio. (Peter Segall/Juneau Empire via AP)
Shirley Robards works at the front counter of Stereo North in Sitka, Alaska, on Friday, April 24, 2020. Many Alaskans are cautiously returning to work today following revised state mandates. Robards said the store has done business during the emergency by delivering goods. (James Poulson/The Daily Sitka Sentinel via AP)
Dody’s Hair Creation owner and operator Dody Morrison wears personal protective equipment during a haircut service for Evelyn Wilson, Friday, April 24, 2020, at her salon in Ketchikan, Alaska. Both Wilson and Morrison conversed with each other from behind masks. (Dustin Safranek/Ketchikan Daily News via AP)
A statue of William Seward near the Alaska Capitol is shown outfitted with a mask on Friday, April 24, 2020, in Juneau, Alaska. On Friday, the state began allowing restaurants to resume dine-in service and retail shops and other businesses to reopen, all with limitations, under an initial phase of a plan to restart parts of the economy affected by coronavirus concerns. (AP Photo/Becky Bohrer)
Ashley Story gives a haircut to client Michael Halstead on Friday, April 24, 2020, at her salon Short Cuts in Homer, Alaska. Story’s is one of several Homer businesses to reopen their doors Friday according to relaxed state restrictions, while several others have opted to wait. (Megan Pacer/Homer News via AP)
This photo from KTVF-TV sows a couple picking out their wedding bands at Bishops Jewelry Gallery in Fairbanks, Alaska, on Friday, April 22, 2020. Alaska businesses slowly began reopening Friday in an effort to restart the state’s economy. The state’s largest city, Anchorage, will allow businesses to reopen beginning Monday. (Sara Tewksbury/KTVF-TV via AP)
This photo from KTVF-TV shows a diner ordering lunch at the Airport Way Family Restaurant in Fairbanks, Alaska, on Friday, April 24, 2020. Alaska businesses slowly began reopening Friday in an effort to restart the state’s economy. The state’s largest city, Anchorage, will allow businesses to reopen beginning Monday. (Sara Tewksbury/KTVF-TV via AP)
Barber Rhonda Adams poses outside her shop in downtown Juneau, Alaska, on Friday, April 24, 2020. Adams said she was excited to get back to work. (AP Photo/Becky Bohrer)
Alicia Smith, owner of Juneau’s Imagination Station, jots notes while taking a call on Friday, April 24, 2020, in Juneau, Alaska. She said the specialty toy store has been doing curbside pickup and starting Tuesday will offer limited store hours with limited numbers of shoppers inside. (AP Photo/Becky Bohrer)
Amanda Johnson buys food at Market Center in Sitka, Alaska, Friday, April 24, 2020, as Stephanie Larsen works behind a sheet of plexiglass. Many workers and shoppers are wearing face masks during the coronavirus pandemic as they go through their daily routines. (James Poulson/The Daily Sitka Sentinel via AP)
Milagrose Sarmiento works the drive-thru window at McDonald’s Restaurant in Sitka, Alaska, Friday, April 24, 2020. The restaurant closed the dining room, but has kept the drive-thru open during the coronavirus pandemic. (James Poulson/The Daily Sitka Sentinel via AP)
A dog stands at the door of the Trickster Company store on Front Street in downtown Juneau, Alaska, while people unload boxes on Friday, April 24, 2020. Some businesses have been able to keep the online side of their businesses operating even as their doors remain closed to the public. (Peter Segall/Juneau Empire via AP)
Marsha Howard, right, helps Jason Gjertsen at the Work & Rugged Gear Store in Sitka, Alaska, Friday, April 24, 2020. Howard has been following state recommendations by encouraging customers to phone in orders and by allowing only three people at a time inside the store, using face masks and using disinfectants on surfaces. (James Poulson/The Daily Sitka Sentinel via AP)
Marsha Howard, right, helps Jason Gjertsen at the Work & Rugged Gear Store in Sitka, Alaska, Friday, April 24, 2020. Howard has been following state recommendations by encouraging customers to phone in orders and by allowing only three people at a time inside the store, using face masks and using disinfectants on surfaces. (James Poulson/The Daily Sitka Sentinel via AP)
A man stands outside Art Sutch’s photography store in downtown Juneau on Friday, April 24, 2020. Sutch, background, decided to close his downtown location of 25 years due to the lack of a tourist season because of COVID-19. Sutch said in a Facebook post he would continue photography, digital and printing work at a personal studio. (Peter Segall/Juneau Empire via AP)
A man stands outside Art Sutch’s photography store in downtown Juneau on Friday, April 24, 2020. Sutch, background, decided to close his downtown location of 25 years due to the lack of a tourist season because of COVID-19. Sutch said in a Facebook post he would continue photography, digital and printing work at a personal studio. (Peter Segall/Juneau Empire via AP)
Shirley Robards works at the front counter of Stereo North in Sitka, Alaska, on Friday, April 24, 2020. Many Alaskans are cautiously returning to work today following revised state mandates. Robards said the store has done business during the emergency by delivering goods. (James Poulson/The Daily Sitka Sentinel via AP)
Shirley Robards works at the front counter of Stereo North in Sitka, Alaska, on Friday, April 24, 2020. Many Alaskans are cautiously returning to work today following revised state mandates. Robards said the store has done business during the emergency by delivering goods. (James Poulson/The Daily Sitka Sentinel via AP)
Dody’s Hair Creation owner and operator Dody Morrison wears personal protective equipment during a haircut service for Evelyn Wilson, Friday, April 24, 2020, at her salon in Ketchikan, Alaska. Both Wilson and Morrison conversed with each other from behind masks. (Dustin Safranek/Ketchikan Daily News via AP)
Dody’s Hair Creation owner and operator Dody Morrison wears personal protective equipment during a haircut service for Evelyn Wilson, Friday, April 24, 2020, at her salon in Ketchikan, Alaska. Both Wilson and Morrison conversed with each other from behind masks. (Dustin Safranek/Ketchikan Daily News via AP)
A statue of William Seward near the Alaska Capitol is shown outfitted with a mask on Friday, April 24, 2020, in Juneau, Alaska. On Friday, the state began allowing restaurants to resume dine-in service and retail shops and other businesses to reopen, all with limitations, under an initial phase of a plan to restart parts of the economy affected by coronavirus concerns. (AP Photo/Becky Bohrer)
A statue of William Seward near the Alaska Capitol is shown outfitted with a mask on Friday, April 24, 2020, in Juneau, Alaska. On Friday, the state began allowing restaurants to resume dine-in service and retail shops and other businesses to reopen, all with limitations, under an initial phase of a plan to restart parts of the economy affected by coronavirus concerns. (AP Photo/Becky Bohrer)
Ashley Story gives a haircut to client Michael Halstead on Friday, April 24, 2020, at her salon Short Cuts in Homer, Alaska. Story’s is one of several Homer businesses to reopen their doors Friday according to relaxed state restrictions, while several others have opted to wait. (Megan Pacer/Homer News via AP)
Ashley Story gives a haircut to client Michael Halstead on Friday, April 24, 2020, at her salon Short Cuts in Homer, Alaska. Story’s is one of several Homer businesses to reopen their doors Friday according to relaxed state restrictions, while several others have opted to wait. (Megan Pacer/Homer News via AP)
This photo from KTVF-TV sows a couple picking out their wedding bands at Bishops Jewelry Gallery in Fairbanks, Alaska, on Friday, April 22, 2020. Alaska businesses slowly began reopening Friday in an effort to restart the state’s economy. The state’s largest city, Anchorage, will allow businesses to reopen beginning Monday. (Sara Tewksbury/KTVF-TV via AP)
This photo from KTVF-TV sows a couple picking out their wedding bands at Bishops Jewelry Gallery in Fairbanks, Alaska, on Friday, April 22, 2020. Alaska businesses slowly began reopening Friday in an effort to restart the state’s economy. The state’s largest city, Anchorage, will allow businesses to reopen beginning Monday. (Sara Tewksbury/KTVF-TV via AP)
This photo from KTVF-TV shows a diner ordering lunch at the Airport Way Family Restaurant in Fairbanks, Alaska, on Friday, April 24, 2020. Alaska businesses slowly began reopening Friday in an effort to restart the state’s economy. The state’s largest city, Anchorage, will allow businesses to reopen beginning Monday. (Sara Tewksbury/KTVF-TV via AP)
This photo from KTVF-TV shows a diner ordering lunch at the Airport Way Family Restaurant in Fairbanks, Alaska, on Friday, April 24, 2020. Alaska businesses slowly began reopening Friday in an effort to restart the state’s economy. The state’s largest city, Anchorage, will allow businesses to reopen beginning Monday. (Sara Tewksbury/KTVF-TV via AP)
Barber Rhonda Adams poses outside her shop in downtown Juneau, Alaska, on Friday, April 24, 2020. Adams said she was excited to get back to work. (AP Photo/Becky Bohrer)
Alicia Smith, owner of Juneau’s Imagination Station, jots notes while taking a call on Friday, April 24, 2020, in Juneau, Alaska. She said the specialty toy store has been doing curbside pickup and starting Tuesday will offer limited store hours with limited numbers of shoppers inside. (AP Photo/Becky Bohrer)
Alicia Smith, owner of Juneau’s Imagination Station, jots notes while taking a call on Friday, April 24, 2020, in Juneau, Alaska. She said the specialty toy store has been doing curbside pickup and starting Tuesday will offer limited store hours with limited numbers of shoppers inside. (AP Photo/Becky Bohrer)
Amanda Johnson buys food at Market Center in Sitka, Alaska, Friday, April 24, 2020, as Stephanie Larsen works behind a sheet of plexiglass. Many workers and shoppers are wearing face masks during the coronavirus pandemic as they go through their daily routines. (James Poulson/The Daily Sitka Sentinel via AP)
Amanda Johnson buys food at Market Center in Sitka, Alaska, Friday, April 24, 2020, as Stephanie Larsen works behind a sheet of plexiglass. Many workers and shoppers are wearing face masks during the coronavirus pandemic as they go through their daily routines. (James Poulson/The Daily Sitka Sentinel via AP)
Milagrose Sarmiento works the drive-thru window at McDonald’s Restaurant in Sitka, Alaska, Friday, April 24, 2020. The restaurant closed the dining room, but has kept the drive-thru open during the coronavirus pandemic. (James Poulson/The Daily Sitka Sentinel via AP)
Milagrose Sarmiento works the drive-thru window at McDonald’s Restaurant in Sitka, Alaska, Friday, April 24, 2020. The restaurant closed the dining room, but has kept the drive-thru open during the coronavirus pandemic. (James Poulson/The Daily Sitka Sentinel via AP)
A dog stands at the door of the Trickster Company store on Front Street in downtown Juneau, Alaska, while people unload boxes on Friday, April 24, 2020. Some businesses have been able to keep the online side of their businesses operating even as their doors remain closed to the public. (Peter Segall/Juneau Empire via AP)
A dog stands at the door of the Trickster Company store on Front Street in downtown Juneau, Alaska, while people unload boxes on Friday, April 24, 2020. Some businesses have been able to keep the online side of their businesses operating even as their doors remain closed to the public. (Peter Segall/Juneau Empire via AP)
JUNEAU, Alaska (AP) — Businesses in parts of Alaska cautiously began reopening Friday, as part of Gov. Mike Dunleavy’s plan to restart segments of the economy affected by coronavirus concerns. Signs of the times were everywhere: barbers wore face masks, and notices warned of limits on customer numbers.
In Juneau, whose downtown core typically hums this time of year, many storefronts remained dark. The city earlier Friday urged businesses to wait to commit to reopening until the Assembly on Monday considers whether to “moderate” Dunleavy’s reopening approach.
In Alaska’s largest city, Anchorage Mayor Ethan Berkowitz outlined plans for reopening Monday largely consistent with Dunleavy’s approach.
Alaska is among the first states in the West to begin reopening, allowing restaurants to resume dine-in service and retail shops, personal care services and other businesses that were classified as nonessential to operate, all with limitations. Dunleavy, a Republican, has said health considerations must come first and that officials feel good about Alaska’s numbers, health care capacity, equipment and ability to track cases.
The state has reported fewer than 350 cases of COVID-19, which includes 208 recovered cases, and nine deaths.
For most people, the coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms. For some, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, it can cause more severe illness, including pneumonia and death.
The state believes it can maintain the health of Alaskans while beginning to reopen the economy, Dunleavy said Thursday. “And the near future’s going to determine whether that call is correct. And, again, we think it is, as long as we follow the science and the data,” he said.
He has said the state will adjust if needed. He also said the state will continue working with communities, and there’s “no need for the heavy hand of the state.”
The state’s order restricts how many people can be in a restaurant, barber shop or other public-facing businesses and outlines protocols for face coverings and sanitation. For personal care services, such as salons and tattoo shops, there can be no waiting areas.
Some reopenings were met eagerly. Homer hairstylist Ashley Story said she had Friday booked. She told the Homer News people wait in their cars until she signals for them to enter.
A regular customer was waiting at Airport Way Family Restaurant in Fairbanks when it opened at 7 a.m., Fairbanks television station KTVF reported.
Alice Camacho and William Hawkins went to Bishop’s Jewelry Gallery in Fairbanks to find rings for their wedding, also set for Friday, the station reported.
“I’m pretty pregnant, so we’re trying to get married before he comes, and William just came back from Iraq, so it seemed like a good time,” said Camacho. Hawkins is stationed at Fort Wainwright, KTVF reported.
In Juneau, barber Rhonda Adams was adjusting to a mask, which sometimes caused her glasses to fog. She said she was excited to return to work and felt good about the protocols in place.
Alicia Smith, owner of the specialty toy store Juneau’s Imagination Station, has been doing curbside pickup and planned for limited store hours starting Tuesday. She is considering capping the number of people inside the store below the state’s guideline due to the shop’s narrowness.
The Juneau Empire reported a downtown photo store owner was preparing to close up shop but still work from a personal studio.
In Nome, city officials asked restaurants to postpone opening until Monday to give them more preparation time, City Manager Glenn Steckman said.
Patrick Krier, owner of the Polar Cafe in Nome, has been doing takeout orders and said he’s following the city’s recommendation and working to prepare the restaurant to resume a level of onsite dining.
“We’ve got to protect the people. I don’t want to get sick. I don’t want to get anybody else sick,” Krier said. “I mean, we’ve got to follow it to the tee so we don’t get people sick.“
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Associated Press reporter Rachel D’Oro contributed from Anchorage, Alaska.