LIHU‘E — Mayor Derek Kawakami announced that the county, in partnership with the state Department of Health Kaua‘i District Health Office, is offering free COVID-19 testing weekdays in Lihu‘e for anyone without symptoms.
Testing is available from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Kaua‘i War Memorial Convention Hall. No appointments are necessary, and results are provided the same day.
“This provides peace of mind for our community members,” Kawakami said. “If you are planning to visit an elderly family member you can get tested in the morning and get results that afternoon. Tourism-industry workers or others exposed to travelers are also encouraged to get tested. This opportunity is open to everyone — no specific reason or doctor’s order is needed.
“While these tests cannot be used for the state’s Safe Travels program for travel to Maui or Hawai‘i Island, they can be used by Kaua‘i resort bubble guests as the post-travel test needed to be released from the bubble. This will make it more affordable for returning residents and visitors to participate in the resort bubble program,” he sid.
Anyone sick with symptoms of COVID-19 should not come to the testing center. Call primary-care provider for an evaluation. Inform the medical center ahead of arrival so they can take appropriate precautions. Anyone without a doctor may call the Wilcox Virtual Clinic at 462-5430, option 3.
These tests cannot be used for Safe Travels interisland travel-quarantine exemptions.
Those traveling to Maui County or Hawai‘i County must get a pre-travel test from a state trusted testing partner lab to be eligible for a state-approved quarantine exemption.
Residents and visitors staying in a resort bubble hotel with an approved enhanced movement quarantine can use this test as their post-travel test.
Travelers from out of state now have the option of a shortened, three-day quarantine by participating in the resort bubble post-travel testing program.
For more information on the resort bubble program, visit kauai.gov/COVID-19 and click on the “Enhanced Movement Quarantine” button. Travelers currently in a resort bubble should refer to their property for more information and transportation options.
For general information on COVID-19 on Kaua‘i, see kauai.gov/COVID-19.
That is great. This a free country. Yesterday a group of people were holding signs for the 2nd amendment. Right to bear Arms. Owning guns. They were holding signs near the state capitol. I thought it was interesting. They don’t look like cops. Free testing. It is about time.
There are a lot of people to reach. Using the first amendment right is the corner stone of America. From George Washington all the way until now. They just enjoyed politics. If you truly believe that politics is the way to go to affect people’s lives, then this kind of news is for you. Just yesterday I saw a news about U.S sending a probe to Mars. It is in Mar’s orbit. This kind of news affect people. Sports, more dominantly. They thrive on it. This makes America diverse. Some people get paid for news like this. Free testing is news like this. Wow. Can it get any better? I hope so.
I have had both my Moderna vaccine shots. The CDC announced that those having received both shots shouldn’t have to quarantine. When will Kauai allow visitors who have been vaccinated be able to skip the pre-arrival virus test?
Nothing is free. Remember that folks. Back in November we had free surge testing on island. Numbers of cases obviously went up. Many a symptomatic or very mild symptoms. Right on cue with kawakamis opting out of state safe travel program. And now here we are with his proclamation set to expire, a bill going through legislation that will force all islands to comply with a state standard. And we have had very low numbers. In order for him to have a chance at staying closed he needs to bump this numbers back up. Just know he ain’t doing this free testing out of the good of his heart.
Please explain how someone who is required to quarantine at ta “bubble resort” can get out of jail long enough to get to the War Memorial hall to be tested.
We applaud the implementation of free testing, but this brings up the issue of the loophole with this Bubble resort 3 day testing out of quarantine here which does not apply to those of us who live and either own or rent homes, condos or apartments that do not have that option unless we pay to go to a Bubble resort here in our own neighborhoods or visit the other islands on the way back. Many of us still have occasional needs to travel off island for business, relatives and grandkids, etc and on return to our own residences must still quarantine for 10 days without the option given for tourists at the Bubbles for 3 day negative test. Respectfully not only is this costly and inconvenient it really seems ridiculous! Even our children coming back to visit cannot stay in their own family residences for 3 days if so when they often only have a week or two to spare if they want to not Quarantine.
I suggest that we could allow a 3 day testing out like we currently are doing for tourism to those returning to residences with a Safe Travels prior negative test to flying back and then give us the option to test out of 10 day quarantine like the Bubbles again on return after 3 days. I mean really aren’t we safer in our own homes. This would not affect the Tourism rules.
Do appreciate the Mayors efforts and certainly we are grateful for how few Covid cases we now have been having, just would appreciate correcting this unfair loophole in the current program.
We applaud the implementation of free testing, but this brings up the issue of the loophole with this Bubble resort 3 day testing out of quarantine here which does not apply to those of us who live and either own or rent homes, condos or apartments that do not have that option unless we pay to go to a Bubble resort here in our own neighborhoods or visit the other islands on the way back. Many of us still have occasional needs to travel off island for business, relatives and grandkids, etc and on return to our own residences must still quarantine for 10 days without the option given for tourists at the Bubbles for 3 day negative test. Respectfully not only is this costly and inconvenient it really seems ridiculous! Even our children coming back to visit cannot stay in their own family residences for 3 days if so when they often only have a week or two to spare if they want to not Quarantine.
I suggest that we could allow a 3 day testing out like we currently are doing for tourism to those returning to residences with a Safe Travels prior negative test to flying back and then give us the option to test out of 10 day quarantine like the Bubbles again on return after 3 days. I mean really aren’t we safer in our own homes. This would not affect the Tourism rules.
Do appreciate the Mayors efforts and certainly we are grateful for all the efforts just would appreciate correcting this unfair loophole in the current program especially now with nearly 0 cases!
Why can’t I get the free test after quarantine in my own home? What’s the difference from my own home that I would Qt for 3 days then take the test . When I quarantined the last time the National guard came every 2nd day. There is no reason for me to not stay in my own home the same as tourists.