HAWAI‘I COVID-19 JOINT INFORMATION CENTER DAILY NEWS DIGEST

News Release from  Office of the Governor, April 1, 2020

President Signs Disaster Declaration for Hawai‘i

Today, President Trump granted a Major Disaster Declaration for the State of Hawai‘i triggering the release of Federal funds to help communities recover from the COVID-19 pandemic. The declaration is in effect from Jan. 20, 2020 and is continuing. The disaster declaration provides assistance to individuals and households and for emergency work and repair or replacement of disaster-damaged facilities. The measure provides direct federal assistance of 75% of the total cost. >>> LINK

https://www.fema.gov/public-assistance-policy-and-guidance

Small Business Administration Details Paycheck Protection Program

Jane Sawyer, the District Director of the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), joined Gov. Ige today during his daily media teleconference to provide more details on the SBA’s Paycheck Protection Program. It’s part of the “The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act” (also known as CARES Act). This program gives small businesses access to short-term cash flow assistance aimed at helping businesses deal with the immediate global impact caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. These loans are made by approved lenders, certified by the SBA and are guaranteed by the federal government. >>> LINK

Department of Health:

First COVID-19 Death Possibly Travel-Related

The first death from COVID-19 has been confirmed as an older adult O‘ahu resident who had recently traveled from Las Vegas. DOH reports 34 new COVID-19 cases today -- one is a minor and 33 are adults. The majority of cases are residents (26), one (1) is a visitor and seven (7) are unknown and pending investigation. There are now a total of 258 presumptive or confirmed cases in the state.

Community Surveillance testing has conducted roughly 380 tests to date on representative samples from every island with one (1) positive result on O‘ahu, reinforcing there is limited and localized community spread on O‘ahu. 

LABORATORY TESTING DATA

HAWAI‘I COVID-19 COUNTS AS OF 12 NOON, APRIL 1, 2020

Hawai‘i Tourism Authority:

Arrival Numbers Up on First Day of Interisland Self-Quarantine Rules

Yesterday, 906 passengers arrived in Hawai‘i on the sixth day of the state’s 14-day mandatory self-quarantine for all incoming passengers. The chart below does not include interisland travel.

Department of Transportation:

First Day of Interisland Travel Quarantine Order Described as Orderly

Few passengers and compliance led to smooth implementation of the self-quarantine rules for all interisland travelers. Arrival numbers are now down more than 98.5% from last March. It is anticipated to drop even more with fewer interisland passengers. All interisland travelers are required to fill-out out a declaration form, which will be collected at a TSA checkpoint prior to their departure. This is different from domestic and international travelers who submit the form upon arrival in Hawai‘i. The form can also be filled out in advance and is available at >>> LINK  

Passengers who are traveling for medical reasons for treatment or to see a specialist should also wear a mask and practice social distancing. If a patient does not have a mask, they can use a homemade mask, but even if they do not have one, they will not be denied on the flight. They can still travel and go to their appointment.

Essential workers while traveling through the airport and on the flight should wear a mask and social distance themselves. Essential workers while on another island for work need to quarantine themselves when not working. When they get home, they don’t need to quarantine themselves. Exemption inquiries and requests should be emailed to:

CovidExemption@hawaii.gov 

Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs:

Consumer Protection Office Provides Resources for Landlords and Tenants

Governor Ige’s recent emergency proclamations concerning the coronavirus, have invoked special legal requirements applicable to Landlords and Tenants in Hawai‘i. The Office of Consumer Protection (OCP) is providing answers to Frequently Asked Questions (FAQS) to assist homeowners and renters with inquiries regarding the Landlord-Tenant code. The guidance provided is current as of March 31, 2020 and may be subject to change per actions taken at the state and/or federal level. The FAQS along with more information regarding the Hawai‘i Landlord-Tenant code >>> LINK 1, LINK 2.

Dept. of the Attorney General:

Scam Alert from the AG and Consumer Protection Office

Hawaiʻi Attorney General Clare E. Connors and Hawaiʻi Office of Consumer Protection (OCP) Executive Director Stephen Levins are alerting Hawaiʻi residents about a wave of COVID-19 scams occurring as a result of the global Coronavirus pandemic. These scams focus on all areas of consumer vulnerability in an attempt to capitalize on fear and rapidly changing developments.

It’s important that during this trying time, residents remain vigilant when online shopping, as well as in communications with those offering what seem to be too-good-to-be-true opportunities. For information regarding SCAM prevention, assistance, and up-to-date tips, please visit:

https://www.consumerresources.org/
https://www.ftc.gov/
https://www.fbi.gov/
https://ag.hawaii.gov/tax/files/2013/01/540427_11.pdf
https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/articles/0074-giving-charity

Department of Defense:

Hawai‘i National Guardsmen Ready for COVID-19 Response

The Hawai‘i National Guard has been partially activated and is standing ready to provide community support during the COVID-19 crisis. Airmen from the Air National Guard’s, Medical Detachment 1 are carrying out daily temperature screenings and health surveys for guardsmen on active duty. Their job is to make sure that guardsmen remain healthy for the duration of their deployments. Currently the guard is doing planning and logistics in support of the state and is prepared to take on any tasks as assigned by the governor. >>> LINK

State Foundation on Arts and Culture

Stress Relief!

When times are difficult, we often turn to music, read a book or engage in the arts.  Participating in creative activities is a way to find meaning in difficult times. The Arts affirm life. The State Foundation on Arts and Culture has compiled a curated list of various arts experiences, available online for all ages and abilities. The list includes links to online performances by Hawai‘i arts and culture organizations, lesson plans and activity guides for educators, and coloring pages. This list will be updated as more resources become available. >>> LINK

BIVN: 21 Cases Of COVID-19 On Big Island, Civil Defense Reports  (DoH was reporting only 15 at the time)

HTH: According to DOH, Hawaii County has 18 cases, three of them new. That is three fewer cases than was reported earlier today by Hawaii County Civil Defense. A possible reason for that discrepancy could be counts of confirmed cases vs. so-called “presumptive positives,” which have not yet been confirmed by the DOH.

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GOVERNOR IGE ISSUES EMERGENCY ORDER REQUIRING SELF-QUARANTINE FOR INTER-ISLAND TRAVELERS

News Release from Office of the Governor, Mar 31, 2020

HONOLULU – Gov. David Ige today signed a fourth supplementary proclamation that requires all residents and visitors traveling between any of the islands in the State of Hawai‘i to self-quarantine for 14 days.

The quarantine mandate takes effect at 12:01 a.m. on Wed., Apr. 1.

All who travel inter-island will be required to fill out and sign an Interisland Declaration Form. It will include: Name; residential address; contact telephone number; and destination information. They must also indicate the purpose of their travel.

People traveling inter-island to perform essential functions are subject to self-quarantine while traveling, except when performing essential functions. Self-quarantine means travelers must remain in their hotel rooms, order food delivery, and not receive visitors. When they return to their island residence, they are not subject to quarantine, but are required to wear appropriate protective gear – primarily masks – and follow all social distancing requirements.

Those traveling for medical or health care are not subject to self-quarantine, as long as they wear appropriate protective gear and follow social distancing requirements.

Violations of this order could result in a misdemeanor with fines of up to $5,000 and/or up to one year in prison, or both.  

Big Q: What do you think of the mandatory 14-day quarantine for interisland travelers?

SA: Editorial: Neighbor islands need protection