Alaska Capitol’s mask mandate is lifted, but lawmakers keep building closed to the public Published 3 hours ago
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Print article JUNEAU A panel of state lawmakers has lifted a mask mandate at the Alaska State Capitol but has not yet reopened the building to the general public. The House-Senate Legislative Council, which controls the Alaska Legislature’s operations, voted unanimously on Friday to lift the mandate one day after the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said people vaccinated against COVID-19 can stop wearing masks indoors under most circumstances. “This has been a great success. We have protected this building,” said Sen. Gary Stevens, R-Kodiak. Stevens chaired the council when it enacted the mandate last year.
Alaska state senator fined for violating Capitol’s mask mandate Published 3 hours ago
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Print article JUNEAU The head of the Alaska Senate’s Rules Committee has fined Sen. Lora Reinbold, R-Eagle River, $250 for violating the mask mandate in the Alaska State Capitol during a legislative meeting last week. Sen. Gary Stevens, R-Kodiak, called Reinbold’s action an “egregious” violation of rules imposed before the Legislature convened this year. She is the first lawmaker to be fined this year. Under the Capitol’s rules, the fine will be deducted from the daily food-and-housing expense payments that Reinbold and other lawmakers receive. According to a document obtained from the Legislature’s nonpartisan administrative office, the fine was assessed last week and has already been paid.
Alaska tribal health consortium provides vaccines for state Capitol Published March 5
Rep. Bart LeBon, R-Fairbanks, gets a second COVID-19 vaccination on Friday, March 5, 2021 at Ron s Apothecary in Juneau. The Alaska State Capitol is beginning a vaccination drive for people who work in the building, using vaccines contributed by a tribal health group. LeBon s vaccination was unrelated to the drive. (James Brooks / ADN)
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Print article JUNEAU Southeast Alaska’s tribal health organization has donated 300 COVID-19 vaccines for a vaccination drive at the Alaska State Capitol following an outbreak in the building. The first legislative workers received their shots Friday from vials provided by the Southeast Alaska Regional Health Consortium. Additional people will be vaccinated in the coming week.