Some businesses in Dillingham have shut down or made adjustments as local, state and federal mandates were passed down this month.

This week, we covered teleconferences from Dillingham to Bristol Bay Borough, as both local governments prepare for a potential spread of the coronavirus. No cases have been confirmed in Bristol Bay. Dillingham business owners shared how they are coping with closures and changes to operations. Villages around Bristol Bay are shutting down travel and school districts share updates to academic calendars. 

In a special meeting by the Bristol Bay Borough, assembly members declared a local emergency response to recieve funding from state and federal government. Community members phoned in to share thoughts about the upcoming salmon fish season.

Alethia Belleque has been studying abroad in Peru since August. She was planning to stay until June, but the coronavirus pandemic changed that. Peru shut its borders to commercial flights in and out of the country. Now, her family is trying to get her back to Alaska. 

With Head Start programs across the state shutting down, over 3,000 kids are not receiving any in class services. The Bristol Bay Native Association’s Head Start program is taking precautions due to concerns over the spread of coronavirus.