Big Island is opting out of Hawaii’s pre-travel testing program, which is set to launch on October 15. The announcement came on Tuesday but Hawaii island major Harry Kim, according to the Star Advertiser. This means that visitors to the Big Island will still be required to quarantine for 14 days upon arrival.
According to the report, although the islands are desperately dependent upon tourism, Mayor Kim was concerned enough about a surge in COVID-19 (coronavirus) cases to postpone the restart of tourism. Hawaii island recorded its highest daily count on Saturday at 43 new infections. The Hilo Medical Center reports the Big Island’s coronavirus death toll at 32.
This announcement comes on the heels of Monday’s by Hawaii governor David Ige, giving each county the option to opt out of the pre-travel testing program. He previously denied Kauai’s proposal to establish a post-travel testing program to operate in addition to the statewide program. In the last seven days, Hawaii has reported 654 cases of COVID-19, according to The New York Times. The Big Island is responsible for 133 of those; Honolulu county leads the way with 510.
As for Kauai, however, it will not be opting out of the program—which it says is “not a viable option.” With its post-travel testing program, it was intending to add another layer of protection. A spokesperson for Maui, according to the Star Advertiser story, has not said whether the island will participate in the pre-testing program but it “continuing to work on these issues with the governor.”
Note: Interisland travel restrictions are still in place until October 31. It has yet to be announced whether these restrictions will be lifted or extended, although an update should be coming this week.
Related Stories
United Airlines to Make COVID-19 Tests Available to Customers
Costa Rica to Open to All States as of November 1
Travel Coalition, Executives Call on Congress to Take Action