STATE GOVERNMENT UPDATESGovernor David Ige –
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14 DAY QUARANTINE FOR ALL INCOMING TRAVELERSHawaii Governor David Ige announced on March 21 that he signed a second emergency proclamation. This proclamation mandates a 14-day quarantine for all incoming travelers to the state of Hawaii.
“We believe that it will help us to flatten the curve so that our healthcare system is not overwhelmed like it has been in other communities around the world,” Gov. Ige said. This measure will go into effect on March 26 at 12:01 a.m. According to Hawaii Emergency Management Agency Director Kenneth Hara, returning residents are ordered to quarantine at home. As for visitors, they will have to remain in their hotel rooms. However, should a visitor’s trip fall shorter than the 14-day quarantine period, they will remain in their designated quarantine location for the duration of their trip and not 14 days. “You may leave your designated quarantine for medical emergencies or to seek medical care,” said Hara. “If the traveler becomes ill with a fever or cough they are to continue to stay in their designated quarantine location and avoid contact with others.” This will only apply to incoming flights that are coming from out of state. This will not affect inter-island travel, according to the proclamation. Ige then revealed that this mandate will not apply to flight crews. The governor says that this mandate will go into effect on March 26 to allow travelers the opportunity to cancel or reschedule their trip to the state. He says it will also allow industry partners to adjust to the new mandate. The mandatory 14-day self-quarantine orders are:
Enforcement of this mandate will fall onto County mayors, who will manage how this new measure will be enforced. To keep track of all incoming travelers, the HI-EMA Director says that travelers will have to fill out a mandatory agricultural form prior to landing and get their information verified, such as where they will be staying and their phone number. Those forms will be collected. Those who don’t listen can spend up to one year in prison, or face a fine up to $5,000. “We don’t want travelers in our community at this point and time. We would want to be able to deal with COVID-19. We don’t want travelers to come in and take resources away from our community,” said Gov. Ige. On March 21, 11 new presumptive positive COVID-19 cases were announced, putting the state total to 48, according to the State Department of Health. These new cases are in Hawaii Island, Honolulu, and Maui:
All cases are linked to travel or have made contact with a traveler who tested positive. “We have been aggressive in establishing testing centers all across the state,” said Ige. “There are more than 42 in operation as we speak. More than 2,500 tests have been completed in the state of Hawaii so far. 2,200 have been completed by private labs and this includes our community program.” STAY AT HOME &
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GOVERNOR IGE'S 3/17/20
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