Fairbanks North Star Borough issued the following announcement on March 16.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
BOROUGH MAYOR BRYCE WARD ANNOUNCES FNSB OPERATIONAL CLOSURES DUE TO COVID-19
The following statement was issued this evening by Borough Mayor Bryce J. Ward:
“The Borough Administration has been closely watching the global and rapidly changing developments of the COVID-19 outbreak. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has recommended that organizations cancel or postpone in-person events that consist of more than 50 people and/or events that would affect at-risk vulnerable populations. Consistent with the CDC guidance and the recent actions of local agencies (such as the Fairbanks North Star Borough School District and the University of Alaska Fairbanks, I am ordering the following operational closures effective immediately and until March 30, 2020:
OPERATIONAL CLOSURES:
Parks & Recreation – all pools, the Big Dipper Ice Arena, all adaptive recreation programs and all Borough Senior programs
Transit – the downtown Max C. Lyon Transit Center (bus transfers will still occur at the station)
Libraries – the Noel Wien & North Pole Branch Library Facilities*
All non-essential Public Meetings and Boards/Commission Meetings
Borough Fire Stations – No public access
BOROUGH FUNCTIONS and FACILITIES THAT ARE OR WILL REMAIN OPEN:
*Libraries – Virtual and on-line services
All Administrative functions
Transportation Services (MACS Transit and Van Tran)
Solid Waste – the Landfill and all Transfer Sites
Animal Control – with reduced staffing
Public Meetings or Hearings – essential only
Borough Mayor Ward said, “I understand the difficulties this may present for the community and our employees and that there may be challenges to overcome implementing this decision. I will continue to monitor the situation and rely on the guidance of public health experts so that we do not continue service reductions longer than necessary.”
As a reminder, seniors or those individuals with compromised immune systems are strongly encouraged to follow the recommendations of health professionals. If you have any questions regarding borough functions, please call 459-1000. If you have questions regarding the public meetings for planning or platting, please call 459-1260.
###
Media Contact: Lanien Livingston, Borough PIO
E. lanien.livingston@fnsb.us
T. 907-459-1304
Original source can be found here.
Source: Fairbanks North Star Borough
