Hawaii, that beautiful chain of islands most of us associate with vacations and leisure, is closed to tourism. The state closed in March during the first heavy rush of COVID-19 and has remained locked down due to a nationwide increase in cases. And now, the state’s reopening date has been pushed back to October 1—at the earliest.
Currently, people wishing to visit Hawaii from out of state must have a negative COVID-19 test within 72 hours of their flight’s arrival. Even with that, a 14-day quarantine in a hotel—no staying with family, camping, or Airbnb—is required before visitors are allowed to roam the island or rent a vehicle. The hotel requirement is because hotel staff have been recruited to help ensure the quarantine is kept. Visitors still in quarantine are also monitored by police with phone calls, social media checking, tip lines, and even in-person visits. The Hawaiians are taking prevention very seriously, and in June and July, more than 200 people were arrested for violating quarantine rules, and more continue to be arrested. Violators face heavy fines, and possible jail time, when the courts reopen.
Inter-island travel is also restricted, through those restrictions were relaxed until last week. Currently, individuals traveling among the highest-population islands must self-quarantine for 14 days as well.
In early August, Hawaii governor David Ige dropped hints about a possible September 1 reopening of free travel to the islands, but now, with numbers in Hawaii rising, that has been pushed back.
“The reopening, along with pre-travel testing protocols, will be announced well in advance to allow businesses to prepare for the return of visitors,” Ige said.
Other restrictions include all outdoor recreation areas remaining closed, masks required in all public places, all parties capped at 5 people in any setting indoor or outdoor, and businesses encouraged to use either telecommuting or staggered schedules.
Their strict measures appear to have been working. Hawaii, which has a population of 1.4 million people, has seen fewer than 6,000 confirmed cases of COVID-19 and 41 deaths.
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