KAUAI MAYOR TO IMPOSE TEMPORARY MORATORIUM ON ITS PARTICIPATION IN STATE’S PRE-TRAVEL TESTING PROGRAM

News Release from Office of the Governor, Nov 27, 2020

HONOLULU – Gov. David Ige has approved Kaua‘i Mayor Derek Kawakami’s request to place a temporary moratorium on Kaua‘i’s participation in the state’s pre-travel testing program. Effective Dec. 2 at 12:01 a.m., all transpacific and intercounty travelers arriving in Kaua‘i are subject to the 14-day quarantine regardless of testing.

(Editor's Note:  I know what you're thinking, but don't worry.  Kauai will still get its full share of the TAT collected in other counties.)

“The unprecedented surge of COVID-19 cases on the mainland and the rise in community spread on Kaua‘i are of significant concern for the Garden Isle. We must protect Kaua‘i residents and visitors and ensure that Kaua‘i’s hospitals do not become overwhelmed,” said Gov. Ige. “Kaua‘i county currently has the fewest number of ICU beds in the state, and private providers are seeking ways to increase capacity. This moratorium aims to stabilize the situation on Kaua‘i.”

“I’d like to thank Gov. Ige for approving Emergency Rule 23, temporarily pausing Kaua‘i’s participation in the state’s pre-travel testing program. Given the national surge of COVID cases on the mainland, Kaua‘i is unable to adequately protect itself by utilizing the Safe Travels program at this time,” said Mayor Kawakami. “Our travel related cases are now leading to community spread across our island. This temporary pause in travel will allow us to remain in Tier 4 as long as possible, keeping youth sports playing and businesses open as we conduct surge testing and contact tracing. I will gladly repeal the moratorium once we have the virus under control again.”

The County of Kaua‘i’s modified quarantine program will remain in place for critical infrastructure workers, essential medical travel, or other special circumstances. To apply for a modified quarantine, please visit www.kauai.gov/COVID-19 and click on the “modified quarantine request” button at the top of the page.

The pre-travel testing program remains in place for all other counties.

Rule 23 can be found here

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Coverage:

KITV: All transpacific, inter-county travelers to Kaua‘i subject to 14-day quarantine starting Dec. 2

HNN:  Governor approves Kauai mayor’s request to opt out of pre-travel testing program

TGI: Ige to approve temporary Safe Travels opt-out

SA: Gov. David Ige grants Kauai’s request to opt out of pre-travel testing program