Capstone to take over COVID-19 testing effort at Juneau airport Feb. 1

The City and Borough of Juneau has been administering COVID-19 tests at the Juneau International Airport since last June when the State of Alaska started requiring it for travelers entering the state without proof of a qualifying negative COVID-19 test. On Monday, February 1, Wasilla-based Capstone Clinic will take over the state contract and run the testing operation at the Juneau airport.

Capstone says the experience for the traveler will be largely the same, if not easier. Instead of registering on two different sites, travelers getting tested at the Juneau airport will only be required to register on the State of Alaska Travel Portal, alaska.covidsecureapp.com. Capstone will be sending tests to Beechtree Diagnostics in Anchorage and expects most results within 24-48 hours.

Capstone is contracted by the state to provide airport testing as required in State of Alaska Health Order 6 and Health Order 8. Specifically that means testing for these purposes:

• Travelers arriving to Juneau from out of state, as well as recommended follow-up testing 5-14 days after arrival. Initial airport testing is free for Alaska residents and costs $250 for nonresidents; follow-up testing is free for residents and nonresidents.
• Travelers arriving to Juneau from within state, as well as recommended follow-up testing 5-14 days after arrival. Initial airport testing is free for Alaska residents and costs $250 for nonresidents; follow-up testing is free for residents and nonresidents.
• Pre-testing for travelers going from Juneau to a community not on the road or ferry system.
• Pre-testing for travelers from Juneau to a community on the road or ferry system that requires testing

Once the travel testing is under way and going smoothly, Capstone may add testing services for travelers going to Hawaii since its testing site is approved as a Hawaii Trusted Testing Partner. When it announces a firm start date for the service, each test will cost $95 and cannot be billed to insurance.

The state currently contracts with Capstone for airport testing at the Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport. In addition to Juneau, Capstone will be taking over airport testing in Fairbanks and Ketchikan February 1. Capstone anticipates hiring at least 30 employees in Juneau. Its staff will include a majority of CBJ emergency workers currently doing airport testing.

CBJ, specifically Capital City Fire/Rescue, is still running the COVID-19 Screening Hotline and the Drive-Thru Testing facility at Hagevig Fire Training Center for individuals with symptoms. If you develop any new symptoms, even mild ones, stay home and call a healthcare provider or the COVID-19 Screening Hotline, 586-6000, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily to arrange testing.

Not doing the airport testing will allow CCFR to put more energy into helping the Emergency Operations Center and Public Health with the vaccine effort. A team of CCFR employees is currently getting trained to administer vaccines to support future vaccine clinics.

For more information on Capstone, contact Capstone Clinic’s Human Resources Vice President Ciara Hendricks at [email protected].