Ketchikan mayor asks Dunleavy administration for airport restriction

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Friday, March 20, 2020 at 11:11 PM

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Ketchikan, Alaska (KINY) - The mayor of Ketchikan has written a letter to the Dunleavy administration seeking assistance in restricting non-essential air travel into isolated communities such as Ketchikan.

Ketchikan Gateway Borough Mayor Rodney Dial sent the letter on Friday.

"I want to thank you for your decisive actions in response to the COVID-19 outbreak in Alaska. As you know, Ketchikan now has three positive cases of the virus, and it is a growing concern in our community.

I write this letter in conjunction with the recommendations of our Ketchikan Emergency Operations Center (EOC) which is working tirelessly to respond to this state of emergency.

The Ketchikan International Airport is owned by the State of Alaska, and managed by the Ketchikan Gateway Borough. As such, the Borough lacks the authority to close the airport or to establish policies and procedures addressing passenger screening and testing.

Therefore, I, along with the Ketchikan EOC, ask that you consider restricting non-essential air travel into isolated communities such as Ketchikan.

Additionally, that you provide guidance on COVID-19 screening of air travelers enplaning and deplaning throughout Alaska airports.

Thank you in advance for your consideration of this request and any additional policy directives necessary to support the safety and health of Alaskans and limit the spread of COVID-19."

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