Friday, November 20, 2020

  Subject: Another Update


> Things change, so another update for you is in order.

> Yesterday Governor Ige announced changes to the Safe Travels program that directly affect guests and owners coming to our state, and of course, Kiahuna.

> Here is a recap of the changes that I copied from the Honolulu Star Advertiser:

> Rule Change: Must Have Negative Test Results BEFORE Landing
> This takes effect TUESDAY, November 24th.
> No exceptions. If you land without negative results IN HAND, you must quarantine for 14 days or the length of your trip, whichever is less.
> Here's part of the Star Advertiser release:
> Hawaii<https://www.tripadvisor.com/Tourism-g29217-Island_of_Hawaii_Hawaii-Vacations.html> Tourism Authority President and CEO John De Fries discussed this tweak to the pre-arrivals testing program at the HTA board meeting today. He also said a formal announcement also is expected to come down adding Canada, one of Hawaii's most important international markets, to the state's pre-arrivals testing program, with Korea and Taiwan coming soon.
> Since Oct. 15, domestic trans-Pacific "travelers who, upon entry into the state, provide written confirmation from a state-approved COVID-19 testing facility of a negative test result from a test administered to the traveler within 72 hours from the final leg of departure" have been exempt from the mandatory quarantine.
> Travelers who came in with a pending test result have been allowed to get out of the quarantine once it could be verified through the state's Safe Travels Hawaii system. However, the state quickly found itself with a backlog of pending tests. Travelers grew frustrated as they waited sometimes three to four days or more wait for a manual review. During one low point, there were more than 3,700 travelers waiting to get out of quarantine.
> "Starting Tuesday if you disembark here in the islands through a trans-Pacific flight<https://www.tripadvisor.com/Flights-g29218-Kauai_Hawaii-Cheap_Discount_Airfares.html> you must have a negative test uploaded, and if not, you automatically will go into a 14-day quarantine. It's a much stricter policy that is being taken," De Fries said.
> He added, "This has been brought about by the number of people who have arrived with no test uploaded, test results pending. That segment of traveler has caused a tremendous amount of workload and a bottleneck in the system."

> End of copy.

> This change will make Kauai a safer place, and be easier to understand, at least in my opinion.

> It is the responsibility of all of us to ensure that Direct Rentals, Service Contract bookings, and Castle guests all know the rules.

> Hopefully, the rules online will be updated quickly to reflect the changes. I think the only item missing above is that should a traveler have WRITTEN proof of a negative test upon arrival through a Trusted Partner, it is my understanding that this will be honored even if it has not been uploaded into the safe travels app.

> I hope to have more concise information when I write my newsletter next week, but as this takes effect Tuesday, I needed to get this new information to you.

> A few more reminders:

> Castle Kiahuna will NOT be taking guests subject to quarantine, no change from what we informed you earlier.

> Our office hours have been extended to 9pm daily

> Late arrivals need to use the lock box, and you need to give them the code:  4601

> Aloha, stay safe, and enjoy your weekend!

> Roy
> ______________________________
> Roy Thompson
> General Manager
> Castle Resorts & Hotels

> ph:  (808)742.4604       web: www.kiahunaplantation.com<http://www.kiahunaplantation.com/>
> fax: (808)742.1047     email: rthompson@castleresorts.com<mailto:rthompson@castleresorts.com>

> 2253-B Poipu Road  * Koloa, HI 96756

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