Updated: Hawaii Will Extend Its 14-Day Coronavirus Quarantine Through the End of July, Until August 2020. This isn't yet reflected with many hotels' anticipated reopening dates but is expected to be updated soon. Currently Four Seasons Lanai and Four Seasons Hualalai are all taking new reservations for dates starting July 1, 2020, while Four Seasons Maui has updated its calendar and is taking new reservations for dates starting August 1, 2020.
Hawaii's 14-day quarantine for all arrivals was implemented March 26, 2020, and requires that all visitors stay in their hotel room or at home if visiting friends and family for 14 days. No quarantined visitor or resident may leave lodging for food or necessities (everything must be delivered); the only allowable reason is for a medical emergency. Violators are subject to a maximum fine of $5000, imprisonment for up to 1 year, or both.
While Hawaii hasn't been anywhere near as effective at enforcing the 14-day quarantine order as, say, China, Hong Kong, Singapore, South Korea, and some other countries, it's nevertheless arrested several flagrant quarantine violators. Most recently, Tarique Peters, a 23-year old from the Bronx was arrested for violating Hawaii's 14-day quarantine order after arriving in Honolulu on May 11. He posted Instagram photos of himself on the beach, on a surfboard, and walking in Waikiki. Peters' bail has been set at $4000.
At time of writing, Hawaii has over 630 coronavirus cases and 17 deaths. Hawaii's stay at home orders and strict quarantine has helped to give it one of the lowest rates of COVID-19 deaths per capita in the U.S.
Hawaii risks exponential growth of the virus and overwhelming the state's healthcare system with the resumption of tourism, unless it can ensure most positive virus cases are kept out of the islands, and new positive cases are quickly isolated. Hawaii Lt. Governor Josh Green, who is also a trained ER doctor, has proposed “Travel with Aloha,” which would entail testing Hawaii-bound travelers for COVID-19 prior to boarding a plane to any of the Hawaiian islands.
Green's proposal has been echoed by U.S. Rep. Ed Case, who is asking the FAA to confirm Hawaii's ability to enforce conditions on air travel to Hawaii, by requiring testing of all passengers and crew prior to Hawaii-bound flights. Airlines would be required to deny boarding to any passenger or crew member who tested positive for COVID-19 or who had a fever, one of the possible symptoms of the virus.
So far, of course, states are unable to force arrivals to be tested, but states are able to mandate and legally enforce quarantines once visitors have arrived.
Our recommendation continues to be to postpone Hawaii travel until the fall of 2020 or later, to enable hotels, restaurants and sights to have adapted to the “new normal” and be more prepared for visitors.
Recommended Posts
Best Hawaii Luxury Hotel Offers 2020
Coronavirus: Tips for Staying Healthy (and Sane)
Earn Frequent Flyer Miles During Coronavirus Without Flying
If you enjoyed this, join 200,000+ readers: follow TravelSort on Twitter or like us on Facebook to be alerted to new posts.
Subscribe to TravelSort on YouTube and TravelSort on Instagram for travel inspiration.
Become a TravelSort Client and Book 5-Star Hotels with Virtuoso or Four Seasons Preferred Partner Benefits