Unalaska’s mask mandate expired at noon on Wednesday, as local COVID-19 cases continue to decline.
City council members voted unanimously at their Tuesday meeting to “encourage” face coverings, as opposed to requiring them. The city had enforced a mask requirement since Aug. 25, when the community experienced a surge of confirmed COVID-19 cases. At its peak, the city reported 30 cases of the virus.
As of Wednesday, there were just three active community-acquired cases, according to city officials.
Vice Mayor Dennis Robinson said he considers the reduced case count as evidence the mask mandate was effective.
“Nobody likes wearing a mask, but it is proven to work. And we are proof that it does work,” he said.
The City Council is expected to review community-wide COVID-19 protective measures at its next regular meeting on Oct. 26.