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Infectious Disease

Gatherings, sports and community events

The state’s interim advisory guidance is posted on the Reopen Alaska Responsibly website. 

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COVID-19 Mitigation Advisors are available to help you make decisions about hosting your events, gatherings or sporting competitions. Advisors have access to the most current best-practices on developing a mitigation strategy. There is no charge for this service.

Upcoming ECHO webinars

Conversations occur the first and third Monday of the month at 2 pm:

  • Monday December 7, 2020 at 2 pm:
    Panel discussion: Hosting non-profit events virtually
    Monday's ECHO will host a panel discussing best practices and lessons learned in hosting non-profit events virtually. The panel will feature Deantha Skibinski from the Alaska Miners Association, Charissa Habeger from the American Cancer Society (Alaska) and Sherri Reddick from the Anchorage Symphony Orchestra. Panelists will share their recent experience hosting virtual events as an alternative to meeting in person. The meeting will end with an introduction to the Plan Safer Events project which will provide Alaskans with resources to consider when hosting events during the pandemic.

Recordings of past ECHO webinars

CDC and other guidance

The CDC offers this guidance:

What Alaskans need to know

In the July 28, 2020, press briefing, Governor Mike Dunleavy highlighted local mitigation guidance based on local alert levels:
Local mitigation strategies

  • You do not need to ask the state permission to host a gathering. The state is not approving/disapproving gatherings.

  • Every event should develop a plan to mitigate the risk of COVID-19 transmission. CDC has guidance to help you develop your plan.

  • Event planners should always consult with the local community where they hope to conduct an event; some communities may have restrictions or application requirements for events.

  • Event planners working on similar types of events (e.g., sports, parades, concerts) are strongly encouraged to work collaboratively to share ideas and develop plans. The state is helping facilitate these working sessions and you’ll be notified when they occur by joining the listserv.

  • Alaska’s lead doctors strongly recommend wearing masks while playing sports, exercising
    October 23, 2020

Connect with other event organizers 

There is a state Gatherings and Community Events listserv you can join to connect organizers of events including concerts (indoor and outdoor), recreational events (running competitions), other sports events including tournaments, sports games with spectators, fairs and festivals, parades, free concerts in the park, etc. The listserv will be used to distribute information, resources and announce opportunities for facilitated discussion between organizers of gathering and community events during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Who should attend?

Alaska organizers of concerts (indoor and outdoor), recreational events (running competitions), other sports events including tournaments, sports games with spectators, fairs and festivals, parades, free concerts in the park, conventions, etc.

How does it work?

At no cost to participants, Project ECHO creates a virtual learning network with real-time access to a team of experts. Each session features a brief lecture and an interactive discussion via Zoom videoconferencing:

For more information about the calls, please contact echo@alaskachd.org or Karol.fink@alaska.gov

More resources

For more information

Please contact:
Email info@plansaferevents.com or call 907-865-5903.

or
Karol Fink, MS, RDN
State of Alaska, State Contact for Gatherings and Events during COVID-19
907-310-8721
Karol.Fink@Alaska.gov

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