Hawaii’s Big Island Opting Out Of Quarantine Waiver Program

On September 17 Hawaii’s governor David Ige announced a plan to reopen to tourism without the mandatory 14 day quarantine period. Travelers would need a negative PCR test within 72 hours of their flight. Big Island Mayor Harry Kim has announced that there mandatory 14 day period will still be required stating:

All of us want to open up our economy, (but) … I made a decision that the risk factor in regards to doing this at this time is not an acceptable risk as far as endangering Hawaii’s people

This decision was made after David Ige gave each county the option to opt out of the program. Kauai wanted a second test to be performed three days after arrival and even secured 15,000 rapid tests but this has been rejected by governor Ige. Maui County is still deciding if they will participate in the program or not.

Hat tip to VFTW

 

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Dan
Dan (@guest_1070747)
October 9, 2020 16:13

Yay for Mayor Kim! Keep the diseased away from the Big Island! TOURISTAS STAY HOME!

R. A.
R. A. (@guest_1070729)
October 9, 2020 15:22

I am truly desperate to visit my previous home and see family that I haven’t seen for ages. That said, I find it galling that people who live outside the State of Hawaii disparage the leaders that want to protect the health of the people that live there. It is absolute selfishness to put one’s vacation needs above the health and safety of others. I just don’t get people who can justify these actions. They need to put their own trivial needs aside for a change and think of others but, I don’t believe this is possible in this country populated with so many narcissistic individuals.

Michael
Michael (@guest_1070541)
October 9, 2020 03:11

I have to say, it’s good to be cautious. But not Paranoid. I live on a small island in the San Juan archipelago and we were swamped by mainland tourists, everyday. Even though San Juan county banned any non essential travel to the islands. On my island which has 2500 year round residents only 20 became infected. This is because we all wore masks and did the protocols. In Hawaii the residents don’t really care about the masks, so yes covid will spread more easily. Maybe if the islanders actually took some precautions. They wouldn’t be were they are now.

pater
pater (@guest_1070257)
October 8, 2020 17:15

Hawaii has one of the lowest 5 infection rates of any state in the country.

If were them, despite loving “da money” from tourists, no way in hell I’d open up the islands to out of staters.

It’s pretty much the only state (maybe with Alaska) that can easily keep other states (filled with Trumpers and other idiots) out.

Right now they can probably go out, eat, drink and be merry.

You let the tourists in from the worst-infected states — and the barbarian HORDES would surely descend there the moment you do —

What will happen is predictable. You’ll have an infection rate that looks like Florida or worse, mass hysteria and fear sets in, then your restaurants and movie theaters will be empty again due to fear,

and you’re back in economic crisis, only now, you went from lowest infected state, to most infected state.

I’m not surprised at their decision.

Terry
Terry (@guest_1069955)
October 8, 2020 08:06

At this point you’d be a fool to book an Hawaii vacation anytime. Be it a week or a year away.

BlissfulApathy
BlissfulApathy (@guest_1069861)
October 7, 2020 23:19

 William Charles harry jim LOL. It’s Harry Kim. KIM.

AlaskanTraveler
AlaskanTraveler (@guest_1069845)
October 7, 2020 23:02

I also find it a little annoying that they keep moving the goal post. I have a 3 week trip booked for Maui in November which I didn’t book until after the governor announced the 2 week quarantine waiver. I would be staying in a vacation condo the whole time and was not planning to eat out much. It’s really annoying. I understand the concerns.

Abe
Abe (@guest_1069884)
October 8, 2020 00:21

Refundable?

Robert
Robert (@guest_1069808)
October 7, 2020 21:56

That’s unfortunate. The virus is already there and ripped through the VA home in Hilo. I’m not sure what they’re trying to accomplish other than governing out of fear. It’ll probably hurt their citizens more

BlissfulApathy
BlissfulApathy (@guest_1069868)
October 7, 2020 23:33

Uhhhh, wut?

Keeping viral loads down keeps people from getting infected and can reduce the overall severity of the infection. Letting Joe the Tourist come without being reasonably assured he’s not infected is just plain silly. How does anyone know if they’ve been infected between the time they got tested and departure? 72 hours is a long time and you don’t know where each person has been. The probability that at least one person on the flight has interacted with some other infected person increases dramatically in relation to the number of passengers. The risks are simply too great for such little benefit.

Robert
Robert (@guest_1069947)
October 8, 2020 07:13

He’s the mayor and choices have consequences. They are not considering the consequences – many people under 55 will be bankrupt and lose their homes to people from the outside in a year or two over a virus with minimal risk to that population. It’s unfortunate

Anonymous
Anonymous (@guest_1069982)
October 8, 2020 08:58

He’s the mayor, and choices have consequences. They ARE considering the consequences – allowing the virus to spread would kill more people, BOTH under AND over 55 IN ADDITION TO killing the economy by reducing the likelihood that travelers would want to come in the first place.

Trump2020
Trump2020 (@guest_1069737)
October 7, 2020 19:17

Joke is on Harry, Big island sucks anyways, kauai maui and oahu are way better, better beaches, more waterfalls, better hikes, better snorkeling. haha, I feel bad for the people in tourism over there though, they are screwed. Guess its their fault anyways for electing a mayor like that in the first place though anyways.

Joe2020
Joe2020 (@guest_1069766)
October 7, 2020 20:07

I think it’s a smart idea for mayor Jim to stay out of this especially when the mainland is flooded with cases again.
i love the big island as much as i love kauai.

lilurbanachiever
lilurbanachiever (@guest_1069736)
October 7, 2020 19:17

My favorite island, ugh. Time to look south I guess, brush up on my Spanish.

BlissfulApathy
BlissfulApathy (@guest_1069872)
October 7, 2020 23:58

You poor thing. Do you need a hug? BlissfulApathy is here to please!

lilurbanachiever
lilurbanachiever (@guest_1069910)
October 8, 2020 01:50

U Jelly?