HONOLULU, (KHON2) — Due to rising COVID-19 cases in the state, Governor David Ige has instituted a partial interisland quarantine which goes into effect Tuesday, Aug 11.
These adjusted regulations are scheduled to run through the month of August.
Under the new interisland quarantine rules, anyone traveling to another island will need to quarantine for 14 days. This goes for all Hawaiian islands including traveling to and from Lanai and Molokai.
Anyone flying to Oahu will be exempt and will not be required to quarantine. However, if returning to another island from Oahu, that person will need to quarantine.
Each county, except for the City and County of Honolulu, will allow people to apply for a ‘modified quarantine.’ Those who can apply include people who need to travel for medical reasons or are performing critical infrastructure work. Other special circumstances will be considered.
Essential workers are under modified quarantine rules, and will have to self-isolate when not conducting their essential business.
“Critical infrastructure employees, such as construction, utility, or healthcare workers, are only allowed exceptions to perform their critical work,” said Kauai Mayor Derek Kawakami in a press conference Monday. “At any point that the person is not actively working, he or she is subject to the quarantine.”
Kauai County has set up a website here, where you can apply for the modified quarantine. Kauai County officials say approval will be counted on a case by case basis. People must apply at least two days before traveling to the county.
For Maui County, people must e-mail their request to TravelExemption@mauicounty.gov. They must include traveler identification and attach a letter from their employer or doctor explaining why they need a modified quarantine. This must be sent to the county at least three days before travel to the county. More information can be found on the Maui County website here.
All interisland travelers entering Maui, Molokai or Lanai will also be asked to fill out a declaration form.
For Hawaii County, only people traveling to perform critical infrastructure functions or traveling for a same-day medical appointment will be granted either an exemption or a modified quarantine. The county said, at this point in time, there will be no other travel exemptions. Forms must be sent in at least five days before travel to the county. To fill out the form, you can visit the Hawaii County website here.
Some things that won’t count for the modified quarantine include visiting friends or family, funerals and other events and personal errands.
Enforcement on the interisland quarantine will also be done by the counties, and they say they will be stepping it up.
“Our police department has been going out when we’re reporting violations,” said Maui Mayor Mike Victorino. “They have intercepted many people at the airport and that’s something. We’re stationing one officer each shift.”
The interisland quarantine is in response to the number of growing cases on Oahu.
Kauai officials say that two of its recent cases were travel related and they are encouraging everyone not to travel recreationally.
“Therefore, any interisland travel poses an increased risk of exposure,” said Dr. Janet Berreman, Kauai District Health Officer. “Please travel only for essential purposes. This is not the time for recreational travel. Of the two cases announced yesterday and today, both are travel-related cases, who appear to have been infected while on another island. Neither of them traveled while sick.”
