‘Ohana reconnect as quarantine lifts on interisland flights
Posted on Jun 26, 2020 in Capitol Connection, Featured
Temperature checks, masks and a new interisland form are required for travelers.
Friends and family can finally reconnect statewide with the lifting of the 14-day quarantine requirement for interisland travelers June 16. However, the move has come with changes in procedures to keep everyone safe and manage the flow of people. “Traveling interisland will be different, and we’re asking the community for support,” said the governor. “With our number of COVID-19 cases still manageable, it’s an important step for reopening our kama‘aina economy.”
New travel procedures include:
• Thermal screening prior to departure. Anyone with a temperature of 100.4 degrees or higher will not be allowed to board the plane.
• A new, mandatory travel form that can be completed and submitted online or printed before arriving at the airport will provide health screening and contact tracing details. Go to https://health.hawaii.gov/travel/ for details and the form. will provide health screening and contact tracing details. Go to https://health.hawaii.gov/travel/ for details and the form.
• Plan to arrive early. The Department of Transportation is asking travelers to allow plenty of time for the new screening process.
The new travel form asks for health-related details, contact information and travel history to make sure that “no one has traveled out of state and visited any of the other communities where the virus has actively circulated,” the governor explained. “It’s about establishing broader connectivity with people to help in tracking and responding to new COVID-19 cases. We have to ensure we don’t experience a surge in cases that overwhelms our healthcare capacity.” Attorney General Clare Connors added, “This is our first step in doing something other than a travel quarantine. It allows us to test the system that’s going to be with us for the near future.”
The governor and health experts continue to emphasize taking personal responsibility to prevent the spread of COVID-19. “The safe practices of physical distancing, using masks and washing our hands are just as important now as they were three months ago,” said Department of Health director Dr. Bruce Anderson.