M/V Matanuska sailings resume on Aug. 21

Sailings of the Alaska Marine Highway System’s ferry M/V Matanuska resume Aug. 21, in the wake of service cancellations on Aug. 15, due to five passengers testing position for the COVID-19 virus.

AMHS officials said on Monday, Aug. 17 that the five infected individuals were traveling together and were in close contact only with each other.

While in transit from Kake to Juneau on Aug. 10, the ferry crew was informed that some passengers were in close contact with a person who tested positive for COVID-19 in Kake. Due to AMHS protocol, the five passengers were then quarantined in their cabins and provided room service until they disembarked in Juneau that evening.

Forty-seven crew aboard the Matanuska were tested for COVID-19 on Aug. 15 and results came back negative for the entire crew on Aug. 16, AMHS officials said.

“This event is a testament to our crew diligently following protocol to prevent COVID-19 transmission,” state Transportation Commissioner John McKinnon said. “What could have easily resulted in a shipboard outbreak was averted by a quick and reasoned response from a well-trained crew.”

AMHS had cancelled the Matanuska’s Aug. 14 northbound voyage from Bellingham and arranged independent testing of the crew. All affected passengers were notified and rebooked or refunded their fares.

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