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Dillingham extends COVID-19 ordinances, changes travel permit requirements

Izzy Ross/KDLG

Dillingham has extended a set of safety restrictions aimed at preventing the spread of COVID-19. The city council passed the ordinances during two meetings last week.

 

 

 

 

At a special meeting August 3, the Dillingham City Council voted unanimously to continue requiring a 14-day quarantine and testing for people traveling into the community. People are still required to wear face coverings in public indoor spaces, like grocery stores. Access to city facilities is still restricted, and businesses have to maintain heightened cleanliness standards. The ordinance now expires on October 2. Violations are a minor offense, with fines of $100 for the first offense, $500 for the second, and $1,000 for the third.

Dillingham's FAQ page for COVID-19 questions about ordinances and other guidelines

 

The council changed the travel permit requirements at its August 6 meeting. People coming into the community still have to submit a travel form, but the city manager does not need to approve those forms. The fine for not submitting a form was reduced to $300. That stays in effect until October 7. The council also approved its grant distribution program for the $3.4 million it received in CARES Act funding.

 

During the August 3 meeting, several council members said they supported extending the ordinance, in part, to allow for additional time to consider the specifics of each measure. During the public hearing, some residents said the city’s low case count during the fishing season showed that the restrictions and safety measures worked. Several also said they were dissatisfied with the lack of public discussion around the ordinances. A few council members called for removing the testing requirement from the ordinance, saying it wasn’t practical. As it stands, people traveling into Dillingham have to get tested on the thirteenth day of quarantine. They can also get out of quarantine earlier if they take two COVID-19 tests at least 10 days apart, with the second test at least 72 hours after arriving in the community.

 

Dillingham saw its first resident case of the disease this week, and as of Wednesday, Alaska has a total of 3,269 active cases of COVID-19.

 

People without symptoms can get tested at the Capstone Clinic at the Dillingham Airport. The clinic hours are seven days a week, 12 p.m. - 6 p.m. You can register for a clinic test at Covidsecureapp.com. Those experiencing symptoms can call Kanakanak Hospital in Dillingham to set up a screening at 907-842-9440.  

 
 
Contact the author at isabelle@kdlg.org or 907-842-2200.

Izzy Ross is the news director at KDLG, the NPR member station in Dillingham. She reports, edits, and hosts stories from around the Bristol Bay region, and collaborates with other radio stations across the state.
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