Akiak has acted to limit travel to and from the village after Bethel reported its first confirmed case of COVID-19 on April 6. Akiak residents used to be able to travel throughout the region without going into self-quarantine, which has changed. Residents returning to the village will now have to self-quarantine, along with the rest of their households, for 14 days. That includes when returning from visiting a nearby village.
Akiak’s Tribal Council passed a set of new restrictions. The tribe is telling residents to stay in the region except for medical reasons. It is limiting all travel in and out of the village to essential reasons. No outsiders are allowed in, except if they are providing an essential emergency service. Those outsiders wanting to shop at the village store will have to call and arrange for the delivery of fuel and supplies at the river.
Travel by local residents within Akiak is also being limited, because the tribe wants people to stay home. A 9 p.m. curfew has been established for children, and those with signs of illness are not allowed in public buildings. Gatherings are limited to 10 people, and residents are being asked to wear masks and rubber gloves, and use sanitizers if available. The big exception is subsistence activities. Akiak’s hunters and gatherers can come and go anytime.
Bootleggers may also have a tougher time as Akiak is increasing its patrols. The plan is to aggressively pursue cases in tribal court against those caught smuggling alcohol. Akiak Native Community Chief Mike Williams Sr. said, “The Akiak Native Community will not tolerate this. Enough is enough.”