Changes to Juneau airport COVID-19 testing go into effect Tuesday, Oct. 27

Starting Tuesday, October 27, travelers arriving to the Juneau International Airport will need to complete a new registration process in order to get tested for COVID-19:

• Travelers arriving from out-of-state without proof of a negative COVID-19 test taken within 72 hours of departure will need to complete two registrations – 1) The standard State of Alaska Travel Portal and, 2) a new online registration. Testing is free for Alaska residents; testing costs $250 for nonresidents.
• Alaska residents arriving to Juneau from within the state will need to complete just the new online registration.
• Residents and nonresidents opting to get the free second COVID-19 test 5-14 days after arrival need to complete the new online registration.

All air travelers are strongly encouraged to complete the registration process prior to travel into Juneau.

The City and Borough of Juneau Emergency Operations Center, through a contract with the State of Alaska, administers the COVID-19 testing at the Juneau airport. The change in the registration process is due to the State of Alaska changing where Juneau tests will be processed. Instead of sending them to the State of Alaska Public Health Laboratory in Fairbanks, tests from Juneau will now be processed at Fulgent Genetics, a commercial lab located in Southern California. The state is making the switch to reduce the load at the Fairbanks lab, reduce costs, and improve wait time for test results. Currently, results usually take 4-5 days. With Fulgent, results are expected back within 2-4 days.

The Juneau Airport will continue to offer a non-invasive, nasal swab PCR test. Travelers getting a follow-up test 5-14 days after arrival can return to the Juneau Airport 2 p.m. – 7 p.m. daily.

What to do after you’ve been tested

Under State of Alaska Health Order No. 6, which went into effect November 16, Alaska residents and nonresidents arriving from out of state without negative test results must strict social distance for 5 days and continue to strict social distance if test results have not been received after 5 days. A second test taken between five and 14 days after arrival is recommended, but not required.

Strict social distancing means you may be in an outdoor public place, but you must remain six feet away from anyone not in your household and you must wear a face covering. You may arrange curbside shopping or have food delivery. You cannot enter restaurants, bars, gyms, community centers, sporting facilities (i.e., ice rinks, gymnasiums, sports domes), office buildings, school or daycare facilities. You cannot participate in any group activities, including sporting events and practices, weddings, funerals, or other gatherings.

Learn more about safely traveling in Alaska at covid19.alaska.gov/travelers. Learn more about COVID-19 in Juneau at juneau.org/covid-19.

(This post was updated Nov. 16, 2020 to reflect the switch from Health Mandate 10 to Health Order No. 6, which went into effect at 12:01 a.m. on Nov. 16, 2020)