Alaska Removes Travel Mandates; New Advisories “Strongly Encouraged”

The State of Alaska’s COVID-19 disaster declaration expired on Sunday, February 14, turning its previously mandated travel protocols into travel advisories.

Alaska’s new advisory for international and interstate travel still provides clear guidance for all travelers—including those with proof of COVID-19 vaccination—to do one of the following when entering Alaska (by land, sea or air) to mitigate the transmission and control the spread of the COVID-19 virus and its variants:

  • Obtain molecular-based test 72 hours before departure and upload negative result into the Alaska Travel Portal
  • If tested 72 hours before departure and awaiting results, travelers should upload proof of test taken into the Alaska Travel Portal and quarantine at personal expense while waiting
  • If a non-resident arrives without a pre-test, testing is available upon arrival; the traveler should quarantine at personal expense while waiting on results
  • Also recommended is to take a second test taken between five and 14 days after arrival.

Fully vaccinated travelers (those who are at least two weeks post completion of a full course of an approved COVID-19 vaccine) should follow pre-travel testing protocols, but do not need to practice strict social distancing while they await test results. Children age 10 and under are exempt from the testing recommendation; however, untested children traveling with a parent or guardian should remain in the same status as the parent/guardian.

Alaska began its Reopen Alaska Responsibly plans last May. It is in Phase 3 of 4, meaning all businesses, museums, recreational activities, sports activities and more can be open. The guidance calls for staying six feet or more away from non-family members, wearing a face covering when in a public setting in close contact with others and staying home if you are sick.

Travelers will find all the details of the current health advisory at www.travelalaska.com.

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