• 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 state Department of Health Kaua‘i 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 DOH or your physician for advice on 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 state Department of Health Kaua‘i 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 DOH or your physician for advice on COVID-19 symptoms and steps to take if you think you have the virus.
Q: What medical conditions cause a greater health or safety risk?
A: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention advises older adults and people with underlying medical conditions that they might be at a higher risk of COVID-19. This is defined as anybody over 65 years old and/or those living in a nursing home or long-term care facility. The medical conditions the CDC advises might put people at a higher risk include: chronic lung disease, moderate to severe asthma, serious heart conditions, those who are immunocompromised, severe obesity, diabetes, chronic kidney disease and liver disease.
Q: How are those incoming visitors who claim the category of “intended resident” treated with respect to the quarantine rules? Do they have to self-quarantine?
A: On March 21, Gov. David Ige signed a supplemental emergency proclamation that orders all individuals to partake in a mandatory, 14-day, self-quarantine. This proclamation applies to all arrivals at airports from the mainland and international destinations coming in from private and commercial flights. Visitors, residents and intended residents must all adhere to these rules, as they are all arrivals. According to the mandate, the designated quarantine location is either your place of residence, a hotel room or rented lodging, and cannot be left for any reason unless it is a medical emergency or to receive medical care.
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Sabrina Bodon, public safety and government reporter, can be reached at 245-0441 or sbodon@thegardenisland.com.