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On April 22, Governor Mike Dunleavy announced his “Reopen Alaska Responsibly Plan” to allow some of Alaska’s businesses to resume operations while continuing to slow the spread of COVID-19.
As a transportation and logistics company that’s part of the state exemption for “essential services and critical infrastructure,” Royal Alaskan Movers has continuously remained open and operational to serve the people of Alaska.
If you’re considering a move to Alaska during this time—or a relocation to the lower 48—we wanted to give you an update on where things stand with household moves.
Alaska Moves Continue During COVID-19
Royal Alaskan Movers is very much open for business, and we’re willing and able to help you move to or from Alaska. Our company as a whole is also committed to the safety and welfare of our employees, their families, and you, our customers. Although many of our team members are coordinating moves from their homes, working remotely simply isn’t possible for many of our employees in warehouses and on the field.
As a result, we’ve worked with our staff to put in place extra precautions to protect their health and safety—and yours. Although we are proceeding with Alaska moves, there may be a few instances in which we feel it may be unsafe to proceed with services. If so, we’ll work with you to find a solution on a case-by-case basis.
One item you should be aware of: Everyone arriving in Alaska is currently subject to a 14-day self-quarantine to help contain the spread of the virus. You’ll find more details on the self-quarantine below.
If you’re interested in an Alaska move, don’t hesitate to reach out to us. We’d be happy to talk you through our procedures to help you make the right decision for you and your family.
What’s It Like in Alaska Right Now?
Governor Dunleavy’s reopening plan means that many businesses previously closed will resume operations. Under the Reopen Alaska Responsibly Plan, the following are permitted—with social distancing precautions in place:
- Dine-in meals at restaurants—reservations required
- Salon services, by appointment
- Retail store visits, up to 25% of store capacity
- Social and religious gatherings, up to 20 people or 25% of building capacity
- Workouts at gyms and fitness center, with facilities being asked to mark where participants should stand to maintain proper distancing
Additionally, Alaskans are specifically allowed to travel for recreational or sightseeing purposes.
That being said, Alaskans are still encouraged to stay at home as much as possible, wear face masks in public and seek testing if they have even mild symptoms to keep the spread of COVID-19 contained.
For more details, you can review the provisions of the Reopen Alaska Responsibly Plan on the Alaska state website.
Now, even as the state begins to reopen its businesses, there are still restrictions in place for newcomers to Alaska that you should know about.
Self-Quarantine Guidelines for Travelers
If you plan on moving to Alaska, we want to make you aware that everyone arriving in the state—residents, workers and visitors—is required to self-quarantine for 14 days. Under these regulations, you must:
- Proceed directly from the arrival point to your designated quarantine location, which is the location identified and affirmed by you on the mandatory State of Alaska Travel Declaration Form:
- If you are a resident, your designated quarantine location is your residence.
- If you are a visitor or worker, your designated quarantine location is your hotel room or rented lodging.
- Remain in your designated quarantine location for a period of 14 days, or the duration of your stay in Alaska, whichever is shorter.
- You may leave your designated quarantine location only for medical emergencies or to seek medical care.
- Do not visit any public spaces, including, but not limited to: pools, meetings rooms, fitness centers or restaurants.
- Do not allow visitors in or out of your designated quarantine location other than a physician, healthcare provider, or individual authorized to enter the designated quarantine location by Unified Command.
- Comply with all rules or protocols related to your quarantine as set forth by your hotel or rented lodging.
- If you are required to self-quarantine and there are other individuals in your residence, hotel room, or rented lodging, you are required to comply with social distancing guidelines.
For more details on the self-quarantine procedures, see Health Mandate 010 on the Alaska state website.
Finally, the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted some of the transportation options to the Frontier State. We’ll give you a quick run-down to help you plan that final piece of your move.
Transportation: Getting to and Around Alaska
Although the state has begun to reopen certain services, there have been a few changes to road, ferry and air travel that you should know about:
If you’re planning on driving to Alaska, you may want to review the state’s precautions while traveling, which include the following:
- Stops shall be minimized on the way to the final destination.
- If travelers must stop for food, gas or supplies, only one traveler shall engage with the third-party vendor. The traveler must practice social distancing by keeping six feet away from others when possible, and avoid crowded places whenever possible.
- Cloth face coverings should be used whenever a traveler engages with a third-party vendor(s).
- Travelers who have to stop, shall wash their hands or use hand sanitizer before exiting, and immediately after returning, to the car or vehicle.
If you’re planning to use the Alaska Marine Highway System, the ferries are operating on an altered schedule, with a spring/summer plan in development. AMHS staff will be observing travelers for flu-like symptoms or COVID-19 symptoms. If a traveler exhibits these symptoms, he or she will not be allowed to board. For the latest scheduling updates, check the AMHS schedule.
If you’re planning on flying to Alaska, many airlines are adopting flexible travel policies, changes to in-air service and terminal changes to maintain the health and safety of their passengers and crew. Contact your airline directly for details on scheduling and current policies.
Questions?
Our team is here on the ground in Anchorage, and we’d be happy to answer any questions you might have. We’re also ready and willing to help you move to the Frontier State or relocate to the Lower 48. To get started, simply reach out to us. We’ll work together with you to create the Alaska move plan that works for you and your family.
