The Haines Borough has distributed travel declaration forms at all points of entry to the community with information regarding two week quarantines. (Photo by Henry Leasia)
The Haines Borough Assembly rejected an ordinance to require a 14 day quarantine for any person entering the borough unless they are covered by an approved plan of protection. The majority of the assembly felt the ordinance was redundant and confusing because the state has already implemented its own travel restrictions and health protection requirements for businesses.
On March 23, the governor issued a mandate that all people entering the state must quarantine for two weeks. Essential businesses are exempt from quarantining employees entering the state if they present a plan for operating during the pandemic without jeopardizing public health.
The day after the state mandate was issued, the Haines Borough Assembly passed a similar resolution requiring anyone entering the borough to quarantine for two weeks. The main difference was that it applied to all travelers, not just those arriving from outside the state.
A few days later, the governor implemented a ban on travel within the state unless it is necessary for critical needs.
At Tuesday’s meeting, borough manager Debra Schnabel told the assembly that the intention of the new quarantine ordinance was to extend the resolution that the assembly passed in light of the new mandates from the state.
“We brought it forward because we believed that this was something that the assembly wanted to do. The only difference between the resolution and the ordinance is that it enables our community to enforce if one refused to do the quarantine,” Schnabel said.
Those who broke quarantine would be charged with a minor offense under borough code. Just like the state, the borough would require businesses who bring in employees from outside to submit a plan of health protection.
However, there has been uncertainty over whether the borough has the authority to implement stricter health precautions than those outlined in state health mandates.
Assembly member Paul Rogers strongly opposed the ordinance.
“I think it is fraught with all kinds of problems. I think that it is unclear all over the place. I think we are trying to create conditions and restrictions that are going to put us at conflict with the state and other communities around the state. I think this is a disaster,” Rogers said.
Among his main concerns was a lack of clarity about what must be included in a plan of protection for employers bringing workers into the borough. Rogers also felt there was a lack of due process for people accused of breaking the quarantine.
Assembly member Brenda Josephson also opposed the ordinance, saying that the state’s health mandates have harsh enough penalties for businesses that do not operate in accordance with strict health precautions.
“I don’t see the problem that we’re solving. I think there is major teeth in what the state has put out and I can’t support it for those reasons,” Josephson said.
Assembly member Stephanie Scott felt that the borough should help the state enforce its health mandates and oversee the health safety plans submitted by businesses.
“I am concerned that even though the state has made these rules, unless we mirror the rules and check on the workers, we won’t know whether or not they are following the rules,” Scott said.
The ordinance would have required essential businesses to submit plans to the borough detailing how they will operate without jeopardizing public health, just like the plans described in the state health mandates.
The Dunleavy administration has required essential businesses to document things like sanitation practices and travel plans for bringing workers into Alaska. So far, the state has refused to release those plans publicly, and denied requests from municipal leaders to view those plans.
Borough Manager Schnabel said she has been able to review plans of protection by reaching out to local firms directly. She requested to review plans of protection with about thirteen different firms operating in Haines. She said that she has reviewed about six plans so far.
“Each one of the plans of protection involves a conversation between me and the superintendent or owner of the company. We talk about how they are going to move around in the community and get the job done. We write that all down in a document and come to an agreement,” Schnabel said.
Ultimately, the assembly rejected the quarantine ordinance in a 4 to 2 vote.
However, the assembly’s March 24th resolution requiring a two week quarantine for those entering the borough remains until it is re-evaluated on April 28th.
