Alaska ferry passengers will have these new requirements before boarding in Bellingham
For those who want to ride the ferry to Alaska from Bellingham this summer, passengers will need to provide proof they have tested negative for COVID-19 prior to boarding.
That’s one of several stepped-up measures the Alaska Marine Highway System has in place. In a news release sent out on Sunday, June 21, the agency outlined its updated rules, including some specifically for Bellingham passengers:
▪ All passengers boarding in Bellingham must fill out a Travel Declaration Form and provide it when boarding. Bellingham passengers would need to check off the 1A box, which says they have tested negative for COVID-19 within the past 72 hours and provide proof of the result. Those passengers must also take another test 7-14 days after their arrival in Alaska.
▪ All passengers over the age of 2 and crew are required to wear face coverings while on the Kennicott, Matanuska and Tustumena, except when in a stateroom, in a designated smoking area or while eating.
The Kennicott is scheduled to dock in Bellingham on Saturday, June 27. The Matanuska is scheduled to dock in Bellingham on Friday, July 3. Sailings from Bellingham are scheduled to happen every Friday and every-other-Saturday through the first week of October.
The Alaska ferry hasn’t docked at the Bellingham Cruise Terminal since late January, originally because of ship repairs and then because of the coronavirus pandemic.
▪ Passengers and crew will not be allowed to go ashore during port calls. Passengers will be allowed ashore only upon arrival at their destination port.
Slowing the spread of the coronavirus on vessels is proving to be a challenge this spring. Three American Seafoods fishing boats had more than 100 crew members test positive for the virus after docking at Bellingham Cold Storage in late May and early June.
According to data collected by the New York Times, Washington state had 29,821 coronavirus cases as of Monday, June 22, while Alaska only had 859. After having relatively few cases this spring, Alaska has seen a rise in June, according to the data.
