Alaska Updates: State Lifts COVID-19 Testing Requirement, Cruise Lines Stop Bookings

Alaska will no longer require domestic inbound travelers to show proof of a negative COVID-19 test upon entry, Gov. Mike Dunleavy said this week.

Dunleavy, speaking Sunday as Alaska’s emergency declaration expired, said that while the state is still dealing with the COVID-19 virus, which he said “may be with us for some time,” the “worse is most likely behind us” and it’s time to start the transition to the recovery process of the pandemic.

“My administration will begin moving Alaska, its economy and our lives forward through this transition and recovery process,” he said. “Make no mistake about it, the virus may be with us for some time. But the data shows that the worst is most likely behind us.”

Tests will still be available at the state’s airports for the next few months (they had cost around $250 for non-residents previously) but will not be required. Dunleavy said that state officials will still recommend face masks and social distancing for its residents, though no make mandate, outside of Anchorage, had ever been in place.

Cruise updates
Alaska has been at the center of the discussion over Canada’s decision to ban cruise ships in Canadian waters until February 2022—that decision, should it not be changed or if cruise lines are unable to find a workaround, would effectively end the 2021 Alaska cruise season before it started.

This week, Norwegian Cruise Line, which recently pushed back its restart date to at least June 2021, said that it was stopping bookings for the entire 2021 Alaska cruise season because of the decision, though it is still working to find a solution.

“Following The Government of Canada’s Interim Order which calls for the suspension of passenger cruising in Canadian waters through February 2022, we will temporarily halt the acceptance of bookings for our 2021 Alaska season,” Norwegian wrote on an update on its website.

“At this time we have not cancelled any voyages in our 2021 Alaska season and are currently exploring several initiatives that may allow such cruises to continue. We are working through all available options as quickly as possible, and given the fluidity of the current environment, we will also continue to work with the Canadian government to amend the current suspension.

“We will continue to keep all travel partners and guests updated as the situation progresses, and we thank them for their patience.”

Royal Caribbean last week, also said that it was working towards finding a solution while no longer accepting bookings for the 2021 season. .

“Following The Government of Canada’s Interim Order which calls for the suspension of passenger cruising in Canadian waters through February 2022, we will temporarily halt the acceptance of bookings for our 2021 Alaska season,” Royal said in an update.

“At this time we have not cancelled any voyages in our 2021 Alaska season and are currently exploring several initiatives that may allow such cruises to continue. We are working through all available options as quickly as possible, and given the fluidity of the current environment, we will also continue to work with the Canadian government to amend the current suspension. We will continue to keep all travel partners and guests updated as the situation progresses, and we thank them for their patience.”