New COVID-19 case temporarily closes Talkeetna businesses

Note: Both North Shore Cyclery and Mahay’s Jet Boat Adventures have supported KTNA programming

Two businesses in Talkeetna have temporarily closed their doors due to a new case of COVID-19.

On Wednesday, North Shore Cyclery announced that one of its employees had been in close contact with someone who tested positive for the disease.  On Thursday, Mahay’s Jet Boat Adventures announced that it will be closed until some time next week due to an employee testing positive.

Israel Mahay, who runs the business named for his father, says he is the person who tested positive for COVID-19.  Mahay says the only symptoms he has experienced were very mild, and that in normal times he wouldn’t have thought twice about it.  In the context of the global pandemic, however, he says he decided to be tested due to the fact that his job involves significant interaction with the public.

Mahay says his business is following governmental guidelines and the advice of his physician.  The business Facebook page says all staff of Mahay’s Jet Boat Adventures are being tested, and their boats and offices will be sanitized. Recent guests are also being contacted. Israel Mahay says he is currently self-quarantining.

According to the website for Mahay’s, the business has been taking precautions during the pandemic, including limiting the capacity of its boats, reducing staff interaction with the public, and providing face coverings and hand sanitizer.

The Facebook page for North Shore Cyclery says all of its staff are also being tested, and they will remain closed pending results.