Alaska Marine Highway System implements new COVID-19 protocols

The Alaska Marine Highway System has implemented new operational protocols to protect against the transmission of COVID-19 on vessels. The following protocols apply for all AMHS travel effective immediately:

• All in-state passengers must complete the Passenger Screening Form before boarding and must be able to respond “no” to all questions.
• All passengers (over 24 months of age) and crew are required to wear face coverings while onboard vessels, except when in a stateroom, in a designated smoking area, or while eating. To the extent possible, AMHS will make reasonable accommodation for a passenger who is unable to wear a face covering due to a disability.
• Passengers and crew will not be allowed to go ashore during port calls. Passengers will be allowed ashore only upon arrival at their destination port.
• All passengers and crew will practice social distancing.
• Shorter-duration and day-boat passenger travel DO NOT require COVID-19 testing or a sworn statement of quarantine.
• Departures from Bellingham, Washington: For passengers departing from Bellingham, Washington, a COVID-19 test must be administered within 72-hours of the day of departure, and a negative result must be presented upon checking in at the terminal or boarding for travel. The mandatory State of Alaska Traveler Declaration Form must be completed for each passenger and provided to AMHS crew at boarding. Passengers must be able to select #1(a) on the declaration form.
• Longer-duration mainliner routes originating in Alaska: Passengers already in Alaska that choose to travel on longer-duration routes within Alaska and/or terminating in Bellingham, Washington, must select one of the following two options:
  1. A COVID-19 test must be administered within five days of the departure date, and a negative result must be presented upon checking in at the terminal or boarding for travel. For example, if your departure is 3 p.m. Saturday, your test must be administered no earlier than 12:01 a.m. the previous Monday.
  2. A sworn statement signed that affirms the traveler has followed quarantine standards for at least 14 days preceding the date of travel. Forms will be available on the AMHS website and available at check in.

• • Longer-duration travel is defined as follows:
    • Any passenger itinerary originating in Alaska that concludes in Bellingham, WA.
    • Any passenger itinerary that includes a voyage across the Gulf of Alaska.
    • Any passenger itinerary to or from the Aleutian Chain that includes the port of Kodiak.

Read the original Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities press release here.