Gov. David Ige announced today that the 14-day mandatory quarantine for travelers arriving from out of state will be extended through the end of August.
The quarantine requirement was initially scheduled to be loosened at the end of July, when incoming out-of-state travelers would be allowed to forgo the quarantine if they presented upon arrival a negative COVID-19 test taken less than 72 hours previously.
However, that plan had seen growing pushback from state elected officials as the number of COVID-19 cases in the state has increased over the last weeks. Mayor Harry Kim told the Tribune-Herald last week that he and the other mayors felt the plan was too risky to endorse.
With today’s announcement, all out-of-state travelers arriving in Hawaii will still be required to shelter in place for 14 days.
Three more people in the state died of COVID-19 over the weekend as well, bringing the total number of fatalities to 22.
Ige said today that he will continue to discuss the plan for loosening the quarantine requirement with the Mayors and other relevant parties.