Local ESC Proclamation of Emergency “Hunker Down” Order

The following Proclamation is from the Kodiak Emergency Services Council, and we post it as received, with minor editing.

 

KODIAK EMERGENCY SERVICES COUNCIL PROCLAMATION OF EMERGENCY “HUNKER DOWN” ORDER

ESC COVID-19 Proclamation -No. 1

ISSUED BY THE EMERGENCY SERVICES COUNCIL (ESC) PURSUANT TO THE KODIAK AREA EMERGENCY OPERATIONS PLAN

The COVID-19 pandemic has generated a public health emergency that threatens to overwhelm our health system, endangering the lives and wellbeing of the people of Kodiak Island. We can continue to take steps to slow and hopefully minimize the threat, but those steps require coordinated community action. This order is put forward to preserve the health and safety of our community while ensuring that vital goods and services continue to be available.

THE EMERGENCY SERVICES COUNCIL DOES HEREBY ORDER THE FOLLOWING EMERGENCY RESPONSE TO PRESERVE LIFE WITHIN THE COMMUNITIES OF KODIAK ISLAND. THE FOLLOWING EMERGENCY REGULATIONS BEGIN AT IOPM ON MARCH 24, 2020 AND REMAIN IN EFFECT UNTIL 10 PM ON APRIL I, 2020, AT WHICH TIME, THESE EMERGENCY REGULATIONS WILL BE REEVALUATED .

I. Kodiak residents shall stay at home as much as possible, except to work in certain essential jobs, listed below: to buy, sell, or deliver groceries or other important goods; to receive or provide health care; and to get fresh air without contacting others. On the limited occasions when individuals leave home, they should maintain social distancing of at least six feet from any person outside their household whenever possible. Individuals are also encouraged to practice recommended hygiene, including regular hand washing.

Individuals experiencing homelessness are exempt from this Section, but are strongly urged to obtain shelter, and entities are strongly urged to make such shelter available as soon as possible and to the maximum extent practicable (and to use COVID-19 risk mitigation practices in their operation).

2. It is strongly recommended, in accordance with Center for Disease Control (CDC) guidance, that certain individuals within the Kodiak community should take even greater precaution.

Anyone particularly at-risk from COVID-19 should reduce exposure by staying at home, not physically going to work, and not doing their own shopping if possible. People particularly at risk, of complications from COVID-19 include those 60 years and older and individuals of any age with a serious underlying medical condition. Household members of those who are at elevated risk should implement these more stringent guidelines as well, to the extent possible.

Anyone more likely to be contagious with COVID-19 should reduce contact with others even further by not leaving home except to obtain medical care or to get fresh air. People who are more likely to be contagious include individuals exhibiting symptoms of COVID-19 (including coughing, shortness of breath, and fever) and individuals who have recently traveled. Individuals who have recently traveled off island are advised, in accordance with CDC guidelines, to stay at home as much as possible for fourteen days. Household members of those who are possible contagious should implement these more stringent guidelines as well, to the extent possible.

3. Some businesses and entities serve essential roles that are necessary to combat this public health emergency or provide essential community functions and cannot be put on hold while we address the emergency. These businesses and entities are encouraged to remain open. While open, those businesses and entities should comply with social distancing guidelines as much as possible, including by maintaining six-foot social distancing for employees and for members of the public, including when any customers are standing in line. A list of businesses defined as essential is listed below at paragraph number five.

4. All other businesses and entities of Kodiak must close their premises; however, businesses and entities may continue to utilize telecommuting or work from home procedures.

5. Essential businesses (to include non-profit and other entities) include:

a.”Healthcare Operations” including hospitals, clinics, dentists, pharmacies, other healthcare facilities, home healthcare services and providers mental health providers, companies and institutions involved in the research and development, manufacture, distribution, warehousing, and supplying of pharmaceuticals, biotechnology therapies, consumer health products, medical devices, diagnostics, equipment, services, or any related and/or ancillary healthcare services. “Healthcare Operations” also includes veterinary care and healthcare services provided to animals. “Healthcare Operations” does not include fitness and exercise gyms and similar facilities. Healthcare operations remain subject to the restrictions in the Emergency Services Command’s Proclamation. To expand the capacity and supply of Healthcare operations necessary for the response to the COVID-19 pandemic, all Healthcare Operators shall postpone appointments that re non-urgent or nonemergency whenever possible, and consider alternatives to face-to-face visits, in accordance with CDC guidance for Healthcare Facilities.

b. Businesses providing any services or performing any work necessary to the operations and maintenance of “Critical Infrastructure,” including but not limited to, the Port of Kodiak, public works construction, construction of housing, airport operations, water, sewer, gas, electrical oil production, roads and highways, trucking and shipping companies, public transportation, solid waste collection and removal, internet, and telecommunications systems;

c. First responders, emergency management personnel, emergency dispatchers, court personnel, and law enforcement personnel;

e. Defense and national security-related operations supporting the U.S. Government or a contractor to the U.S. government;

f. Grocery stores, supermarkets, food banks, marijuana dispensaries, convenience stores, and other establishments engaged in the retail sale of food, beverages, or other household consumer products (such as cleaning and personal care products, pet food and pet supplies). This includes stores that sell groceries and also sell other non-grocery products, as well as stores that sell products necessary to maintaining the safety, sanitation, and operation of residences;

g. Food cultivation, including fishing, hunting, fanning, and livestock;

h. Businesses that provide food, shelter, and social services, and other necessities of life for economically disadvantaged, unsheltered, or otherwise vulnerable individuals;

1. Newspapers, television, radio, and other media services;

J. Gas stations and auto-supply, auto-repair, towing companies, and related facilities;

k. Banks, mortgage companies, insurance companies, and related financial institutions;

l. Hardware stores;

m. Plumbers, electricians, exterminators, and other service providers who provide services that are necessary to maintaining the safety, sanitation, and operation of residences and essential businesses;

n. Businesses providing mailing and shipping services;

o. Educational institutions for purpose of facilitating distance learning;

p. Laundromats, dry cleaners, and laundry service providers;

q. Restaurants, bars, and breweries and other facilities that prepare and serve food and beverages, but only for delivery or carry out under the restrictions laid out in the Governor’s COVID-19 Health Mandate 3.1;

r. Businesses that supply products needed for people to work from home;

s. Businesses that supply other essential businesses with the support or supplies necessary to operate;

t. Businesses that ship or deliver groceries, food, goods or services directly to residences;

u. Businesses that provide transportation services of passengers or goods;

v. Home-based care for seniors, adults, or children;

w. Hotels, residential facilities and shelters for seniors, adults, and children;

x. Professional services, such as legal or accounting services, when necessary to assist in compliance with legally mandated activities

y. Childcare facilities, subject to new recommendation for increase hygiene and social distancing. Childcare facilities should be used only by those who need childcare to work at an essential job.

If your business is not listed above, but you believe that it is essential or it is an entity providing essential services or functions, you may request an opinion from the Emergency Services Director that your business should be designated an essential business.

DATED this 23rd day of March, 2020

Mike Tvenge
Emergency Services Director for the Emergency Services Council
(907) 486-8970