Interesting developments today in regards to Hawaii travel’s most important market of all, the Golden State. While it may seem far-fetched to restrict California arrivals, it actually isn’t. Here’s why. Previously, Hawaii’s official in charge of the Safe Travels visitors’ program said that he would consider geographic travel restrictions if needed.
Lt. Governor Josh Green was reported to have said, “We haven’t done a geographic ban ‘yet’ as a state,” which leaves open the possibility to do so.
Statistically, California represents the bulk of Hawaii visitors. In the last month for which there is data, November 2020, there were over 80,000 visitors from California, which represented nearly one-fourth of all Hawaii visitors. That number of total arrivals is growing again.
Los Angeles, in particular, is in dire straits.
Anyone arriving or returning to Los Angeles from outside of Southern California has a mandatory 10-day self-quarantine. That followed earlier suggestions from November, when the state recommended avoiding non-essential travel as well as quarantine when traveling, but included no ruling.
California’s governor said yesterday the state might next face a “surge on top of a surge.” We are hearing that as many as one in sixty LA County residents is infected with the virus.
But what exactly is mandatory? We are unaware of any plans to enforce Los Angeles’ quarantine effectively. Airports, however, have been required to post notices prominently advising travelers. There are exemptions for essential workers, pro sports, and anyone working on a film or media project in LA (oh well, that’s show biz).
San Francisco already has a quarantine requirement for returning travelers.
Hawaii’s take on Los Angeles visitors.
Hawaii has never differentiated how it handles visitors from varying states. Hawaii Lt. Governor Josh Green said that we’ve already dealt with high caseloads from LA and that “L.A. itself is self-policing because they have a no-travel ban on themselves.” Well, based on November data, that travel ban apparently isn’t working.
Other places, like Washington DC, have implemented requirements on a state by state basis. Arrivals from specific states are required to “test out” of quarantine when they arrive. Visitors from “safe states” (like Hawaii) need only have a negative test result taken within 72-hours of arrival. That while visitors from “not safe states” must either 1) go into mandatory quarantine or 2) test out of quarantine 3-5 days after arrival.
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Jim R. says
Aloha Guys!
I saw a question in this thread regarding Hawaii travel after taking the vaccine, which really needs more thoughtful debate.
It has already been established that even though you will likely be protected from getting sick and dying from Covid (after taking the vaccine), there is still a potential that you CAN get it, and CAN spread it. There is absolutely no validation/guarantee that you will not spread Covid, after being vaccinated, because they have no scientific data to back it up…let that sink in.
Dr. Fauci himself admitted that experts are still unclear whether or not a vaccine is capable of preventing asymptomatic spread. Fauci said (Jan 7, 2021). in a Zoom interview with residents and staff at Washington University in St. Louis, “It is conceivable that a vaccinee [referring to someone who was vaccinated] could have been protected from being ill, but still has replicating virus in their nasal pharynx.”, which he acknowledged while justifying why people should still wear a masks, and follow current safety practices. Fauci has also said that basically there is insufficient data to determine how long this vaccine will provide immunity, and his best ‘guess’ at this point is a Year…again, let that sink in.
Experts (including Fauci) are also reporting that there’s a ‘chance’ people who take the vaccine will develop side effects. Certain groups, like those with allergies, have greater risk to develop side effects. Who knows how many other potential risks there are that can lead to complications or potentially even death, since they’ve rushed through development without doing substantial research. It’s not like MSM is sharing the risks of a hastily developed vaccine, and unless you research and educate yourself, are you really informed well enough to make an educated decision?
The more I learn, the clearly I see it’s all about money…
Mahalo Rob and Jeff! Question: Have you heard more on inter-island quarantine rules changing soon?
Beat of Hawaii says
Hi Jim.
Thanks. Definitely more to be revealed on all of this. Regarding inter-island, there will be vaccination-based travel coming first apparently. Otherwise, the state seems reluctant to make any of the changes that had been expected. Perhaps due to somewhat higher case loads here and much higher ones in Hawaii’s target markets.
Aloha.
Doug says
“Medical troops arrive to assist hospitals overwhelmed by COVID patients in LA, Riverside counties”
This would be why. Perhaps if you took care of your own state first you would be able to travel here freely. We here on Kauai worked hard to get our cases to zero before the super spreader event started on October 15th when visitors and returning residents brought it back. And why should I stay home sequestered in my house after working so hard to eliminate covid here just so visitors and returning residents can play???