Alaska SBDC Communications
A Message from Alaska SBDC Executive Director, Jon Bittner
As many of you have undoubtedly heard, Anchorage Mayor Ethan Berkowitz announced a prohibition on dine-in service for food or drink at bars, breweries, and restaurants through March 31 in response to the coronavirus disease (COVID-19). Entertainment businesses and gyms are also impacted by this prohibition.

The order will go into effect at 5 p.m. today. It still allows for restaurants to offer takeout and delivery and will not impact grocery stores. The Mayor has also banned all events and gatherings of 50 people or more.

The Alaska SBDC's advisors are standing by to assist you and your business weather these difficult times. We are working closely with the Small Business Administration, the Municipality of Anchorage and various economic development groups across the state to pool resources, coordinate assistance efforts and share information with you as we receive it. 

If you're already a client of the Alaska SBDC, please reach out to your advisor with any questions you may have, we will help in any way we can. If you're not a client but would like to take advantage of our confidential one-on-one advising please sign up for our no-cost services and an advisor will contact you shortly.

I know that many of you are worried about what's next for your businesses. I want to assure you that the Alaska SBDC will continue to work to provide you with the best assistance and support that we can. The important thing right now is to ensure the safety of you, your employees and the community. In the meantime, make sure to document all of the impacts that COVID-19 is having on your businesses so that you will be well-positioned to take advantage of any relief or assistance programs that federal or state governments provide. For more information and a list of resources please visit our website and read our last newsletter released March 13.

I'll keep you updated as things change.
The Alaska SBDC is Here For You - Virtually
Mayor Signs Emergency Order and Announces Additional Public Health Protections in Response to COVID-19
Today, Mayor Ethan Berkowitz announced additional public health measures to protect Anchorage residents against COVID-19.

Restrictions and Closures: Bars, Breweries, Restaurants and Entertainment Facilities
Mayor Berkowitz signed Emergency Order EO-01, which regulates bars, breweries and restaurants in order to preserve public safety and welfare. Starting at 5:00 p.m. on Monday, March 16, dine-in service for food or drink at bars, breweries and restaurants will be prohibited until 11:59 p.m. on March 31. All buffets and salad bars will be closed to self-service. Drive-thru, take-out, and delivery services are allowed. This restriction does not apply to grocery stores.

In addition to these restrictions, all entertainment facilities including theaters, gyms, and bingo halls will be closed starting at 5:00 p.m., Monday, March 16 until 11:59 p.m. on Tuesday, March 31. All buffets and salad-bars will be closed to self-service.

“ By making sacrifices now, we reduce the likelihood that we will pay a larger cost later, ” said Mayor Ethan Berkowitz. “ These closures are consistent with CDC recommendations and with our strategy of doing what we can to reduce the possibility of transmitting COVID-19. As a friend told me, ‘It will be impossible to know if we overreacted or did too much, but it will be quite apparent if we underreacted or did too little ’.”

Banning all gatherings with more than 50 people
The Mayor’s Emergency Order includes a ban on all events and mass gatherings with 50 people or more starting at 5:00 p.m., Monday, March 16 until 11:59 p.m. on Tuesday, March 31.

Municipal Employees to Implement Social Distancing Practices
Beginning Tuesday, March 17, the Municipality will institute additional social distancing measures to minimize the risk of COVID-19 to Municipal employees. This includes increased use of tele-work practices, staggering shift times for certain departments and increased use of videoconference technology. These measures do not impact police or fire services. Read the full emergency order here .
Small Business Resources
Alaska SBDC Workshops Available Virtually
The Alaska SBDC is prepared to offer our in-person workshops through online telecommunication formats instead. Keep the momentum moving for your small business goals and check out our workshop listing for a wide selection of classes on-demand!
Check our website for a complete list of Alaska SBDC workshops statewide!
Don't forget to ask your Alaska SBDC Business Advisor about client discounts on select workshops
The Alaska SBDC is a Partnership Program with the SBA, administered by the Business Enterprise Institute through the University of Alaska Anchorage. Funded in part through a Cooperative Agreement with the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA). All opinions, conclusions or recommendations expressed are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the SBA. All SBA funded programs are extended to the public on a nondiscriminatory basis.