Editor’s Note: Questions about stay-at-home orders can be submitted to tinyurl.com/TGIQ-A and The Garden Island staff will do our best to find you an answer by contacting county officials and Kauai District Health Officer Dr. Janet Berreman. Be aware these answers are informed with the latest directives from officials and can change as official rules and recommendations change. Contact the Hawai‘i Department of Health or your physician for official COVID-19 symptoms and steps to take if you think you have the virus.
Q: Do you know how many COVID-19 cases on Kaua‘i have ended up having to stay in the hospital?
A: As of Monday, April 6, there have been 18 confirmed cases on the island. Only 8 of these remain active, and one is currently in isolation in the hospital.
The total number of positive cases, as well as how many have been hospitalized, can be found on the county’s website at kauai.gov/COVID-19.
Q: If you are a returning from the mainland a healthy resident and need to be quarantined for 14 days, can you go to the store to buy food? How are people monitored?
A: A 14-day self-quarantine is mandatory, healthy or not, according to Gov. David Ige’s state-wide orders. This quarantine restricts all movement to the property and does not allow for going to the store or performing any “essential activities.” All items must be delivered to the door of the property, whether that’s a private residence or hotel room.
Failure to follow these orders is a misdemeanor and punishable by a maximum fine of $5,000 and/or up-to a year of jail time.
Use the county’s covid19kauai.com resources page to find grocery delivery services or other local businesses that may be able to help.
Q: Are food trucks able to operate during these times in a take out capacity?
A: Yes, food trucks count as restaurants, which are allowed to provide drive-thru, pick up or delivery. Call ahead to your favorite spots to find out their hours. Additionally, check out the “Kauai Take Out or Delivery Service” Facebook Group to find specials, take-out menus and different hours to local businesses.
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Sabrina Bodon, public safety and government reporter, can be reached at 245-0441 or sbodon@thegardenisland.com.
