Word tonight from the federal Government Accountability Office caught our Hawaii eyes. The GAO is reporting that both rapid tests and reagents are now in wide-scale short supply. The situation is due to get worse, perhaps much worse, following an anticipated post-Thanksgiving surge and as we enter the colder winter season on the mainland. The products needed to process COVID-19 tests for medical needs as well as Hawaii travel are becoming scarce once again. That is according to GAO’s survey of 47 states and territories. This came as part of their report on the CARES Act.
Between 1/3 and 1/2 of all states have reported shortages within the past 30 days.
This announcement comes even before the post-Thanksgiving COVID surge, which is expected to further deplete critical testing availability. In the past week, the US saw the highest number of air travelers since COVID began, which peaked at 1.18 million this past Sunday.
“They’re almost certainly is going to be an uptick because of what has happened with the travel,” said Dr. Anthony Fauci, in an ABC “This Week” interview.
So where does Hawaii travel fit in?
It isn’t clear yet whether Hawaii COVID chief and Lieutenant Governor Josh Green’s plan can now come to fruition or not. Green called for greatly ramp up testing by providing on-arrival tests to all visitors. One of the specific availability issues mentioned by GAO is the rapid tests which Green just proposed.
Green, a Big Island emergency room physician, this weekend proposed changes to the Safe Travels program intended to make it safer and help address the problem of test results not being obtained in time to meet the present 72-hour rules. Green suggested that visitors take PCR tests within 96 hours of travel to Hawaii. Then, arrivals would be required to take a second rapid antigen test on landing in Hawaii.
It’s interesting that months ago Green proposed on-arrival testing but said at that time that there were not adequate tests available to make that a reality. When he discussed his proposal this time around, he made no mention, or perhaps wasn’t aware of the just-released GAO report on testing shortages.
Kauai Still Planning 14-Day Quarantine Starting Wednesday.
If the testing shortage worsens, could a 14-day quarantine statewide become the only alternative? Kauai plans to implement a 14-day quarantine starting this Wednesday. This is a controversial plan, and our article about it has already had nearly 350 comments.
If travelers cannot be tested, however, the other islands and the State will have to address the situation somehow and make further changes. Stay tuned as this story develops.
If we travel to Kona are thrift stores and restaurants open. This would be end of December.
Aloha-does anyone have any experience or insight on Mini Medical or Clinical Labs of Hawaii on Maui for inter island travel to the Big Island? Or another option?? Any advice is appreciated as we have a family of 5. Mahalo.
It was announced that, starting today, the Big Island will now require all travelers to take a rapid antigen test on arrival at Kona Airport. Kauai is reported to have purchased 15,000 rapid test kits. If Kauai adopts the same policy as the Big Island (rapid test on arrival) that would be a positive and workable step to restore some credibility to Hawaii travel.
Love the idea – finally something sane – but be careful what you wish for… there are two kinds of rapid tests – the antigen test referenced in your first sentence costs about $50-$70 – the NAAT Rapid version, which you didn’t differentiate, costs about $200! Great idea – let’s just hope they don’t get carried away with the word “rapid”!
Is CVS still a trusted travel partner? I heard they dropped out.
States make independent decisions regarding their state. It’s Not feds job to force states to provide testing. How is the president responsible for governing the independent state of Hawaii or any other state ?
I forgot to say please in my just submitted comment. Thank you. I have forgotten my manners.
I am trying to return to Kihei,Which I left just about a year ago.I have rented an apartment starting December 15. Unfortunately I’m having a crazy time trying to get back. I am currently in Chicago Where there is not one single testing facility approved by the state of Hawaii where I can go for the required Covid test. The CVS website says they cannot perform tests for Hawaii and to go elsewhere, and although there are dozens of Walgreens in the city, none of them can turn around a test in the required amount of time. My only option is to take a cab to the far suburbs where there Is one single Walgreens that claims they can perform this test and hopefully get the results back to me in time. I don’t have a car, so to get to the north side of Chicago to this far flung suburb will probably cost me $100 each way. I’ve talk to some very nice people at United Airlines And even at the mayors office, but no one knows how to help me get the test I need here in the city. This is crazy. How is Chicago ones getting to Maui these days? I’m guessing they’re not.
Hi Roscoe.
What about Vault, which is done at home and sent by UPS? Overall comments indicate they are doing a good job.
Aloha
We arrived Maui 11/28 after stressful pre-travel planning. The entire HI process was somewhat confusing. Website 4 steps are incorrectly ordered. You can’t complete Health (2) until you upload your covid test results in Docs (4). Watch the video on first page of website for the best explanation.
We flew AA & booked tests with the HI & AA partner CareOne. The tests were given at DFW, our last leg of travel
The results & QR were provided in 10 minutes. We uploaded them from there and the results were available 8 hours later in Maui.
My take is that no one really knows the best solution to the virus till the vaccine is available. Pandemic response has been compounded by politics in HI, as it has been in all other states. But why do the instructions have to be confusing?
I’m trying to fly to Honolulu for a governmental job interview. Walgreens cannot guarantee test results and their lab provider (Labcorp) cannot give me any details about results other than that they should be back between 1-3 days. It’s been over 48 hours since I was tested and I have no results. CVS as many of you know now cannot promise results (this was changed after I already received notification that I have an interview scheduled). Walgreens has no idea how long it’s been taking for results lately and neither does the lab.
No other appointments are available or were available for any other testing options.
I really hope this system changes, so many of us are being impacted by a system that frankly seems to be broken.
You are not helping the tourism industry by continuing to post alarmist stories. We are figuring it out and so far it is working. These are obviously unprecedented times for all. Stories like this are spreading fear to would be tourists are causing cancellations and further hurting our economy. I appreciate your website and all that you do but posting stories like this is starting to get redundant. Thanks
All these people wanting to come here please think about this
If you come to Hawaii and get sick with Covid19 you will not leave the islands sick.