Update on Anchorage Emergency Order EO-16

Dear UAA Community,

Last Wednesday, Nov. 25, Acting Mayor Quinn-Davidson announced Emergency Order EO-16, which goes into effect tomorrow, Dec. 1, and continues through the end of December. The new emergency order stresses the necessity to limit outings and physical contact with those outside our households but also places specific restrictions on certain businesses and activities, mainly those that occur indoors and cannot accommodate face coverings and strict social distancing.

While EO-16 will significantly impact the Anchorage community, the implications are fairly minimal for UAA as the order essentially outlines requirements UAA has been adhering to since this past summer. The education exemption allows the courses UAA currently offers in person to continue under the previously established 15-person indoor gathering limitation.

With cases continuing to surge in Anchorage, this “modified hunker down” includes the closure of indoor dining at restaurants and bars as well as the cancellation of most indoor sporting events. EO-16 also places a 25% capacity limit on retail and grocery stores, gyms, personal care facilities and other indoor businesses. Indoor and outdoor gatherings are limited to six and 10 people, respectively.

I urge you to diligently review and adhere to the regulations outlined in EO-16. Our health care system is nearing its capacity, and Anchorage continues to see widespread community transmission of COVID-19. Alaska’s Chief Medical Officer Anne Zink sent out this statement last night – please take a look.

Thank you for doing your part to safeguard the health of our community. The pandemic won’t last forever. We will get through this, and we will be stronger because of it.

Sincerely,
Cathy Sandeen
UAA Chancellor

November Archive