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 Kaua‘i District Health Officer Dr. Janet Berreman. We will continue to share answers throughout the week. 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.
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: Why isn’t community testing available on Kaua‘i?
A: This answer is directly from Dr. Janet Berreman: When we hear about large scale testing on other islands, many people have the impression that it’s testing for anyone who wants it. In fact, in these community testing efforts everyone is evaluated to determine whether they need to be tested or not. Many people who just drive up without a doctor’s order do not end up being tested. Sometimes the evaluation takes place in advance, by phone. Other times it is done by a health care provider at the testing site. People who do not meet testing criteria do not get tested. Our testing on Kaua‘i works much the same way. Anyone who thinks they need to be tested should contact their usual health care provider, or if they don’t have a regular provider they can contact a community clinic or urgent care center. The health care provider will do an evaluation and, if testing is indicated, will order the test. The test swab can be collected at the “drive through” tent outside Wilcox Medical Center, or at a clinic or doctor’s office. Be sure you follow your health care provider’s directions regarding where to have the swab collected. So we do have community testing on Kaua‘i, it just looks a little different than on other islands. Remember: if you are tested, you must quarantine at home until you get your test results.
Q: Is moving considered an essential activity?
A: You are allowed to move housing, according to the Kaua‘i Police Department’s Frequently Asked Questions. However, you are not allowed to hire personal furniture movers, because that is not considered an essential service.
•••
Sabrina Bodon, public safety and government reporter, can be reached at 245-0441 or sbodon@thegardenisland.com.
