Governor Ige email regarding next steps

Aloha Owners,

Roy sent this to me to blog.  I know we are all very anxious for the 14 day quarantine to be lifted regarding out-of-state travel so that we can all start renting our units again.   

Aloha,
Denise

Aloha, 

Over the past few weeks, we have seen significant progress in our fight against the COVID-19 crisis. With fewer than five cases every day and several days of zero new cases, Hawaiʻi continues to be among the states leading the nation in controlling the spread of the virus, thanks to your commitment to following our physical distancing and health mandates. 

Because of our successful efforts, I announced the lifting of the 14-day quarantine for interisland travel effective Tuesday, June 16. This important step for Hawaiʻi will help reunite families and friends who have been separated due to COVID-19. It will also help with the reopening of our kamaʻāina economy. 

I want to thank you for your patience while my office worked with county mayors and the Legislature on this plan to reopen interisland travel. I want to assure you that the health and safety of our residents are still our primary concern, and we would not have taken this step if key indicators were not achieved. 

In addition to Hawaiʻi’s low counts of new COVID-19 cases, which are among the lowest in the nation, we also have ample healthcare capacity to handle any new outbreak or surge. In addition, our testing and contact tracing capacity continues to increase every day.

Lifting the quarantine is great news, but the experience of flying between islands is going to be different than what we’re accustomed to. A new screening and tracking process will help us minimize any new spread and allow us to quickly respond if an outbreak occurs. This system includes thermal screening at the airport for everyone who travels between the islands. Also, travelers will be required to fill out a new travel form that will help the state track and respond to new cases. 

After reopening interisland travel, the next step will be reopening out-of-state travel for residents and visitors. Planning is being done in earnest, but it needs to be a careful, thoughtful process. We have seen what has happened to other communities that reopened too quickly. There have been new outbreaks. And many of our key visitor markets, such as California, still have large numbers of new cases that are of concern. 

Opening interisland travel on June 16 is an important first step because we will be able to refine our systems and processes. 

We also have been exploring multiple options to allow a reopening of out-of-state travel, including travel corridors and bubbles, screening and contact tracing. We have made excellent progress in our plans, and I hope to be announcing sometime next week an avenue for reopening out-of-state travel.

Everyone in Hawaiʻi has done a great job in coming together to flatten the curve. It’s been difficult, but you followed the mandates, and I am proud of what we have achieved. And even though we are reopening our community, we all must continue our safe practices: maintain physical distancing, wash your hands, wear your masks, stay home if you feel sick, and avoid large gatherings. 

Remember that the best way for us to control the virus is through our own actions. We all need to take personal responsibility. So please, take care of yourself, take care of each other, and most importantly, take care of our community. 

Aloha, 

Governor David Y. Ige