Hawaii’s Governor David Ige extended the Aloha state’s mandatory Coronavirus 14-day quarantine for all arriving travelers on Wednesday in an effort to keep Coronavirus cases in the islands at a minimum. Hawaii has among the lowest COVID-19 infection and mortality rates in the nation. Ige enacted a mandatory self-quarantine for all arriving tourists and residents in March.
Hawaii Extends Coronavirus Quarantine Through July
This is a continuation of the original tourist quarantine policy of March 26, 2020.
The Governor states the quarantine provisions are extended to the end of July as the state develops a screening process that would potentially allow tourists to return to the 50th state in the near future.
RELATED POST: Hawaii Governor Proclaims Visitors Not Welcome – Orders Tourists Into Quarantine
Airport Monitoring
Hawaii’s government officials have indicated they are planning to install thermal screening stations and facial recognition technology at the airports by year’s end. Incidentally, this technology would be used only to track people within the airport during the screening process, according to Governor Ige.
Today, incoming travelers have their temperatures taken upon arrival and sign contracts agreeing to adhere to the quarantine order. Violating the quarantine can result in jail time and severe fines.
There are many widely publicized arrests of tourists attempting to break their quarantines on Oahu; home to Waikiki Beach.
Revisions to the policy now allow the lifting of the state’s inter-island quarantine rules, effective next week. Officials stated anyone with a temperature over 100.4 degrees will not be allowed to fly.
Contributor Shelli offers her suggestion on where to stay with My Favorite Hotel in Waikiki, Hawaii Will Surprise You. My all-time favorite is the Hilton Hawaiian Village.
The Upshot
It may be disappointing for many tourists as Hawaii extends its Coronavirus quarantine through July. On the positive side, it is one of the safest places to visit because of the actions taken by the Governor.
But the quarantine essentially halted tourism in Hawaii, which accounts more than 25% of Hawaii’s jobs and economy.. As a result, nearly one-third of the state’s working population has applied for unemployment.
As travel interest increases, one has to wonder how much longer Hawaii can really afford to say ‘No’ to tourism.
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3 comments
We go to Hawaii twice a year. Spend weeks and lots of money. Not this year. They’re overreacting and dont deserve my hard earned money
Steve, Im born and raised in Hawaii, trust me when I say this- No one cares if you never come back, if your vacation is more important than the people of Hawaii’s lives than that reflects more on your moral character, than it does on the Gov’s polices.
Couldnt of said it better IRVIN!