By AlaskaWatchman.com

Anchorage’s Acting Mayor Austin Quinn-Davidson is slightly easing up on her COVID mandates while reminding residents of her power to shut the city down again if they do not follow orders.

Claiming Anchorage must “loosen restrictions in a way consistent with public health,” Quinn-Davidson issued emergency order 18 which goes into effect Feb. 1.

The new order comes at a time when COVID seems to be in steady decline. As of Jan. 29, only 29 people were listed as hospitalized in Anchorage due to the virus, and daily case counts have dropped to Sept. 2020 levels.

Despite the waning numbers, Quinn-Davidson’s latest mandate begins by lamenting the fact that the “vast majority of Anchorage is unvaccinated, and we are aware of new more contagious variants of COVID-19.” She stops short of mandating wearing of one face mask overtop another, but strongly suggests the practice.

Quinn-Davidson’s new order maintains mask mandates for all residents in public settings. It also slightly increases gathering sizes and loosens a few restrictions on businesses and sporting events.

While dancing and loud music are still banned, capacity for bars and restaurants will go from 25% to 50%, and they can extend alcoholic beverage service an additional hour, to midnight. Similarly, salons and personal care services are going from 25% to 50% capacity. Fitness venues will remain at 50% capacity. Quinn-Davidson will also allow bingo halls, theaters, private clubs and other entertainment facilities to go from 25% to 50% capacity.

Indoor gatherings limits will increase from six up to 10 people (with food or drink) and 15 people without food or drink. Outdoor gathering limits are going from 10 people to 30 people (with food or drink) and up to 50 people without food or drink.

SPORTS MANDATES

Local sports teams will be able to compete with other squads from within Anchorage’s municipal boundaries, so long as strict – albeit somewhat arbitrary – COVID protocols are maintained.

All players and coaches must mask when arriving or departing from an indoor athletic event and must maintain six feet separation when not competing (like sitting on the bench). Players, however, are now free to compete normally so long as it’s a real game and not merely practice. Scrimmages allow players to be within 10 feet of each other.

Masks must be worn “at all times” except when players are really getting after it during actual games against players from other teams. This includes sports like basketball, volleyball and even wrestling. All competing players – even those who have been vaccinated – are required to show a negative COVID test taken within 72 hours of competition.

  • Click here to read more about sports mandates.
  • Read Quinn-Davidson’s latest order here.

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Mayor keeps most COVID limits on Anchorage businesses, allows sporting events

Joel Davidson
Joel is Editor-in-Chief of the Alaska Watchman. Joel is an award winning journalist and has been reporting for over 24 years, He is a proud father of 8 children, and lives in Palmer, Alaska.


9 Comments

  • Ed Martin Jr says:

    This Commie is now starting to run scared …. But is as arrogant as ever before !

  • Debi Erickson says:

    Leave Alaska!!!!!

  • john otness says:

    Communist Chinese game plan,,, These idiots think they have a seat at the Buffet line. Coward traitors are always the first to go …. The China Virus the Governor the medical tyrants this pathetic Assembly all having a ball soaking in the power . These evil bastards know full well the twisted psychological strain of this on a generation of children ,, They are evil and we all need to rise up and stop these demons from doing any more damage to our State.

  • Jim Scott says:

    Don’t forget this abominations actions during this time. It personifies the utter dystopian despot that lies in wait in a Democrat/liberal craving power. They know that the people’s liberties are paramount and the centerpiece to their oath of office, and that office is subject the rights of the individual , not the other way around. This playschool mayor has all the symptoms of a 4 years play ‘me boss’. Except this 4 year old has adult tool sets and a gun.

  • Jim Scott says:

    Don’t forget this abominations actions during this time. It personifies the utter dystopian despot that lies in wait in a Democrat/liberal craving power. They know that the people’s liberties are paramount and the centerpiece to their oath of office, and that office is subject the rights of the individual , not the other way around. This playschool mayor has all the symptoms of a 4 year old playing ‘me boss’. Except this 4 year old has adult tool sets and a gun.

  • Carrie Harris says:

    20% of Grocery Stores/retail employees test positive for covid. That’s 10% more than health care workers and makes grocery store the most dangerous place to work, and the most dangerous place to go. 3 out of 4 of them have very mild symptoms or no no symptoms, making them a significant transmission source THATS WITH MASK. But she is not making curbside pick up mandatory, or making people accept boxed meals from the curbside. If this was about health no one would be allowed in walmart or safeway.

  • john otness says:

    This is not about us as the older generation,,,, Its about Psychologically traumatizing the young into a state of Paranoia that makes them afraid of the air we breathe Makes them subservient to the voice of the govt without thought. This is wrong….. We, yes me and you are responsible for allowing these demons into govt and leading roles as medical tyrants. This is a satanic evil and we have allowed it. May GOD strike those down that have been involved in this experiment on humanity I curse you all. Now we hear the Nursing home murderer of New York Cuomo talk of easing the restrictions after murdering so many. Well Alaska the suicides keep happening due to our Governors ill will on the people of our state with his king like edicts and bullshit mandates…. Will all this just disappear now? South Dakotas Governor had balls and defended her people,,, Alaska failed miserably. May there be Nuremburg trials for those who participated and slunk along with this demonic Hell forced on a free people.

  • Daniel Baldwin says:

    I’m surprised she didn’t command that we all wear fish bowls over our heads. These dictators (including Dunleavy) are out of control. How about giving us information, and then we make our own decisions on what to do with that information. That’s what happens in a FREE society.

  • George Hamilton says:

    With all these comments complaining about what is happening, WHATare we going to do about it. Mayoral race…who is the opposite of current admin folks.? Time to get involved and make a difference!