The state of Alaska is beginning COVID-19 vaccinations to tourists arriving and departing from four of its major airports from June 1, Gov. Mike Dunleavy said Friday.
‘The idea is that we have access to vaccines, so why not use them? So this is what we tell our tourists: if you come to Alaska – and it will start on June 1 – if you come to Alaska, you get a free vaccination, ‘he said.
The vaccinations will be offered at Anchorage, Juneau, Ketchikan and Fairbanks airports, said Heidi Hedberg, director of the Alaska Public Health Division.
She said a “soft rollout” will take place in Anchorage for five days at the end of April to assess interest.
“Right now we have a lot of vaccinations for all Alaskans,” she said when asked if there was enough vaccine for the plan.
The vaccination program is part of a broader effort to encourage Alaska tourism. Other parts of the effort include an advertising campaign for a million-dollar tourism and a request for $ 150 million in economic relief for tourism-related businesses.
The emergency relief program requires the approval of the Alaska Legislature. According to the information provided by the governor’s office, money already authorized will be used in the advertising campaign.
Since no large ships on voyages to the state and land voyages were blocked by the Canadian rules for quarantine, various organizations encouraged independent travelers to fly to the state instead.
Details of the state’s advertising campaign are still scarce, but according to the governor’s office, money from last year’s federal CARES law will be used to place ‘targeted ads on national television programs and other means of communication during the spring and summer, which encourage Americans to visit. Alaska as a COVID Safe Destination. ”
The money from the governor’s office will give other money to non-profit organizations that promote tourism. The amount and timing of the grants were not immediately available; a governor’s spokesman said the government “wants to be mindful that the process complies with all Alaska laws.”
The Alaska Travel Organization operates the state’s existing tourism marketing program. Its president and CEO, Sarah Leonard, said it’s not too late for a marketing push to make a difference in Alaska’s tourist season.
‘Due to the pandemic, many travelers are on a shorter discussion window than usual. They wait until they are more confident about the rollout of vaccines and their own health and safety. But that time is now, ”she said.
She said it would be important to target the advertising campaign.
“A successful marketing program is not always about reaching the masses, but about reaching those who are more likely to be Alaska travelers,” she said.
Details of the aid package for tourism-related businesses are still being developed. Lieutenant Gov. Kevin Meyer will speak to the communities concerned over the next few weeks, and the administration will include information from the talks in the final plan.
More is known about the vaccination program that has been developed since at least the end of March.
Hedberg said the plan is provided as a method of getting vaccines to both Alaskans and incoming visitors.
‘The vaccination clinics are going to be out of safety. And that’s the beauty: so for Alaskans who are going to welcome their family members who live outside the state, they can be vaccinated at the airport, ‘she said.
The Pfizer and Moderna vaccines will be used, she said. Each requires a second dose a few weeks after the first dose.
“We realize that when individuals come to Alaska, that they are not allowed to stay 21 days or 28 days,” she said, and although she would encourage tourists to come to Alaska, they can get their second chance at home.
If they stay in the state, she said, they could get the second chance at any vaccination clinic, not just the ones that take place at the airports.
“What we are saying now is today. “Alaskans, please get educated, please get vaccinated, and from 1 June it will be opened to the tourists,” she said.
The program is open to international visitors as well as Americans.
“You have some places – even Japan, I think they vaccinated 1% or 2% of the population,” Dunleavy said. “Look at Alaska, 65 years and older, 66% of our population is vaccinated.”
“We are going to open it now so that it is more accessible to all Alaskans and people arriving at the airports,” he said.