Turned out we were the first patrons seated today for the reopened Benihana that has been otherwise shuttered since mid March.
Here is the status of "opening up" here in Alaska:
ALASKA
Population: about 731,500
Unemployment: 5.6%
Gov. Mike Dunleavy
issued a stay-at-home order on March 28, but the order expired on April 21. The following day, Dunleavy
issued a series of 17 health mandates that set out the guidelines for how the state would proceed to reopen, effective April 24.
"Reopening Alaska’s businesses is vital to the state’s economic well-being, and to the ability of Alaskans to provide for their families," the order reads. "At the same time, everyone shares in the obligation to keep Alaska safe and continue to combat the spread of COVID-19. As a result, businesses and employees must, to the extent reasonably feasible, continue to take reasonable care to protect their staff and operations during this pandemic."
The mandates
allow for retail businesses to resume operations, provided that occupancy does not exceed more than 20 customers, or 25% maximum building occupancy as required by law and employees and shoppers wear fabric face coverings, among other measures.
Personal care services have resumed, with reservations only and limiting patrons to no more than ten. Personal services include hair salons, spas, barber shops and tattoo parlors, among others.
Outdoor activity
may resume only in the daytime and with significant restrictions, such as limits on gatherings to 20 people or less and non-household members must maintain strict social distancing.
Alaska has released perhaps the most widespread plan, but it still retains rigorous attention to social distancing and healthcare protocols.