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Hawaii (Big) Island Travel Update
Per the Star Advertiser, Hawaii Island Mayor Kim has received tentative approval to require out-of-state passengers who have taken a pre-travel test to take a second test upon arrival. The plan for a second test is pending approval by the state attorney general.
Mayor Kim says the earlier reports of the Big Island opting out was a misunderstanding. Here’s an excerpt from the Star Advertiser:
“Kim said earlier reports about Hawaii island “opting out” of the pre-travel testing program grew out of a misunderstanding and a poor choice of words on his part. He said he never meant to say the county wasn’t going to participate, just that it was vitally important to have a second test.”
Kim also told the Star Advertiser that the second test plan would work as follows:
“The process will take anywhere from a half-hour to 45 minutes, he said. Those who test negative are free to go. A positive result requires another test — a PCR test, the results of which won’t be available until the next day, which will require staying in quarantine.”
We’re not sure, but we believe that the time estimates are for the actual taking of the test along with the time to obtain and communicate the result. There may be an additional time required to wait in a line to take the test.
Please read this Star Advertiser article for more details on this evolving issue.
Kauai Travel Update
We told you yesterday about the proposed tier system of allowing or disallowing quarantine bypass based on a seven-day average of positive cases on the island of Kauai. Through end-of-day Friday, there was no word on whether the proposal was approved by the governor or not.
The mayor of Kauai is also requesting visitors to voluntarily take a second test three days after arrival.
The same Star Advertiser article referenced above provides some insight to the Kauai situation as well. It might be helpful to watch the mayor’s Friday video update with some overviews of the tiered system and why they chose it.
Additionally, Kauai is still urging a second test of incoming travelers with a shortened quarantine. See this press release regarding a request for the governor to approve a two-test system for Kauai.
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We’d like to once again point to hawaiicovid19.com/travel for questions about traveling to Hawaii during the pandemic. That site has the official rules and guidance.
The post Big Island tentatively approved for 2nd test at airport. Kauai awaiting decision from governor on tiered system. appeared first on Go Visit Hawaii.
