HONOLULU – Gov. David Ige today announced he will delay the launch of the pre-travel testing program for incoming travelers to Hawai‘i. The program is now scheduled to begin on Sept. 1. This means all travelers entering the State of Hawai‘i will be subject to the mandatory 14-day quarantine until Sept. 1, when the pre-travel testing program is scheduled to begin.
The governor made this decision in collaboration with Hawai‘i’s four county mayors. Several factors contributed to the decision to delay the pre-travel testing program. They include:

• The continental U.S. (mainland) is seeing large, uncontrolled outbreaks in some of Hawai‘i’s main visitor markets, including California. Many of these communities are increasing restrictions and rolling back reopening plans.
• Hawai‘i is seeing an increase in cases.
• The outbreaks on the mainland are affecting Hawai‘i’s testing supply, including an interruption in our supply chain from the mainland.
• Hawai‘i anticipates an uptick in cases when schools re-open in August.

“This was an extremely difficult decision to make. This delay will further hurt our economy, but as I’ve always said – we will make decisions based on the best available science and facts prioritizing the health and safety of Hawai‘i residents. Our county mayors and I agree, this delay is essential to protect our community,” said Gov. Ige.
Once it is launched, the pre-travel testing program will be an important part of the state’s multi-layered screening process to protect residents and visitors. Some new details include:

• Travelers will be exempt from the 14-day quarantine if they test negative after taking a COVID-19 test no more than 72 hours in advance of travel.
• The test must be a nucleic acid amplification test or NAAT test conducted at a CLIA-certified laboratory.
• If test results are not available by the time of arrival in Hawaiʻi, the traveler will remain in quarantine until their test results are received. If the test results are negative and can be verified, the traveler will then be exempt from the quarantine.
• All travelers are subject to the pre-test requirement, including children of all ages.
• Travelers are responsible for the cost of the test.
• No commercial testing will be provided at Hawaiʻi airports.

Gov. Ige will issue a 10th supplementary emergency proclamation in the next few days.

Visitors to Maui: Attention
Hawaii State Department of Health Maui District Health Office Recommendations
 
The following are safety guidelines recommended to all travelers arriving into Maui County:
 
   Before booking your lodging, ensure that location will accommodate you should you require quarantine or isolation if you become suspected of being contagious, awaiting test results for, or needing to be isolated as a positive case of COVID 19. Maui has limited quarantine locations to place sick or suspected sick nonresidents.
 
   Before booking your rental car, check the agency policy on refunds should you be unable to utilize your rental due to illness or suspected illness. Quarantine and isolation last up to 14 days, during which time you will prohibited from leaving your hotel room or other place of lodging except to obtain medical care.
 
   Check the refund policy for activities, tours, lodging and other arrangements that may need to be changed or canceled in the event of illness. Be aware that some third-party booking agencies and companies have a no- refund policy. If you are suspected or confirmed to be ill with the COVID19 virus you will be required to quarantine and isolate for up to 14 days. You will be unable to leave your place of lodging except to access urgent medical care.
 
   It is recommended that you obtain travel insurance, including policies that cover COVID related issues,  that may assist in your ability to change the date or circumstances of your travel plans should you need to quarantine or isolate in place, as well as assist you if you need to be transported out of Maui or Hawaii for medical or other reasons.
 
   It is recommended that you obtain and carry proof of medical insurance, and that it is applicable to healthcare needs in Maui. Maui County has 1 acute care hospital: Maui Memorial Medical Center is a 219-bed not-for-profit organization, whose website states: Maui Memorial Medical Center will bill your health plan carrier(s) according to the information provided at registration.
You'll be asked to present your current health plan coverage cards and to pay all co-pays, deductibles, coinsurance and fees for noncovered services when registering and checking in for services. Please check your health plan to determine if a provider is participating. If your plan's requirements are not followed, you may be financially responsible for all or part of the services rendered in the hospital.
 
   Be prepared for delays at points of entry into Hawaii. All travelers will undergo a screening which may include: temperature check, detailed survey form completion, interviews, nasal swab test, detainment and xxxx If you are suspected of being ill you will be referred to the Department of Health for further investigation. You will not be allowed to fly: You are on the Known Quarantine List; You have symptoms including but not limited to: xxxx
 
   Helpful and recommended websites for Hawaii’s travelers and situational awareness in Maui County:
            https://hidot.hawaii.gov/coronavirus/
 
https://www.mauicounty.gov/2370/COVID-19-Coronavirus-Information
 
   Continue to prevent the transmission of disease by adhering to CDC recommended disease prevention guidelines: wear a face covering over your nose and mouth, keep distance of at least 6 feet from others whenever possible, cover your mouth and nose when you cough and sneeze, wash your hands frequently and do not travel when you feel sick.
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/travelers/travel-in-the-us.html
 
   Information, guidelines and recommendations are subject to change.
 
   Respect our culture and our desire to re-open our islands in a manner that we feel is safe for our residents and visitors.
 
 
~ Mahalo ~

From: Office of the Governor
Sent: Wednesday, June 3, 2020 9:09 PM
To: Joe Pluta
Subject: From the Office of Governor David Y. Ige [CS25614]
 

EXECUTIVE CHAMBERS
HONOLULU
David Y. Ige
GOVERNOR

June 3, 2020
Mr. Joseph Pluta
PO Box 12278
181 Lahainaluna Road Suite I
Lahaina, HI 96761
Dear Mr. Pluta:
Thank you for contacting our office on June 1, 2020 to express your views and suggestions regarding tourism and the quarantine during COVID-19. Our staff will ensure that your comments are shared with Governor Ige.
The global spread of the virus that causes COVID-19 is very concerning to the Governor. This is a rapidly changing situation, and the Governor continues to work with county, state and federal partners to gather information and make decisions to protect the health of Hawaiʻi's residents.
In efforts to support ongoing State and County responses to COVID-19, the Governor has issued several emergency proclamations which can be reviewed at https://governor.hawaii.gov/category/newsroom/emergency-proclamations/.
The Governor's Eighth Supplemental Proclamation relates to persons traveling to the State or traveling inter-island. Visitors and returning or intended residents are subject to a mandatory 14-day self-quarantine with a few exceptions detailed in the proclamation orders. Additionally, the Department of Transportation provides FAQs about travel/quarantine at https://hidot.hawaii.gov/coronavirus/.
The disaster emergency relief period shall continue through June 30, 2020, unless terminated or extended by a separate proclamation, whichever shall occur first. At this point in time, it is not possible to verify or confirm the date that any travel restrictions and quarantine requirements will be modified and/or rescinded.
On June 1, 2020, Governor David Ige announced that the state will be lifting the 14-day quarantine requirement for inter-island travelers, effective June 16. The state Department of Transportation will require thermal screening at the airport for everyone traveling inter-island. HDOT will also require travelers to fill out a new form that will now also ask for health-related information to assist the state in tracking and responding to new COVID-19 cases.
Hawaiʻi is slowly reopening within public health guidelines and safe practices. The Governor's emergency proclamation allows a county maximum flexibility to exercise its respective emergency management authority. This allows for flexibility between counties since COVID-19 infection rates and recovery on each island differ. Please know that county proclamations and orders may be more restrictive or more lenient. You should consult with county authorities about their requirements and restrictions:

• Honolulu: https://www.honolulu.gov/mayor/proclamations-orders-and-rules.html
• Maui: https://www.mauicounty.gov/2370/COVID-19-Coronavirus-Information
• Kauai: https://www.kauai.gov/covid-19
• Hawaii: https://coronavirus-response-county-of-hawaii-hawaiicountygis.hub.arcgis.com/

We appreciate you taking the time to share your views and suggestions with us and will consider your comments along with all other public input as we strive to keep communities healthy and improve state government in Hawaiʻi.
 
With warmest regards,
Office of the Governor
State of Hawaiʻi