WAILUKU — Maui County in Hawaii will soon require second coronavirus tests for trans-Pacific travelers flying directly to the island.
WAILUKU — Maui County in Hawaii will soon require second coronavirus tests for trans-Pacific travelers flying directly to the island.
In addition to the current state-required pre-travel tests, people flying into Maui County from outside Hawaii will now be required to get negative coronavirus tests when arriving at the Kahului Airport to avoid quarantine, Mayor Michael Victorino told reporters on Wednesday.
People who refuse either test will be required to quarantine for 10 days in Maui. The pre-travel virus tests must occur at most 72 hours before passengers take their flights.
“This secondary test has been designed to determine if visitors and returning residents are contributing to the large rate of COVID-19 here in Maui,” Victorino said.
Victorino estimated that the program may take up to 10 business days to put in place.
A study conducted in November by Maui health officials found that two out of every 281 travelers who consented to second, follow-up coronavirus tests at the airport tested positive, the Maui News reported.
A county spokesperson could not be reached for comment Wednesday by the Maui News regarding how much the new testing program will cost.
Common symptoms of COVID-19 include fever, cough, breathing trouble, sore throat, muscle pain and loss of taste or smell. Most people develop only mild symptoms.
But some people, usually those with other medical complications, develop more severe symptoms, including pneumonia. Sometimes people with a coronavirus infection display no symptoms.
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This seems like a common sense solution if the logistics involved can be achieved. Let returning residents and visitors pay for it whatever the cost.
There has already been great financial sacrifice on the residents of Hawaii to keep the virus out. We now have the tests available not like a year ago. Visitors and residents can, should and will pay the price of a second test.
It seems residents are the ones most responsible for spreading the virus, especially on Maui. Place the blame on those that deserve it.
Please, let’s do the same here on Kauai. Our wonderful mayor has done a great job keeping us as safe as possible so far–let’s not jeopardize our safety!
This is what Mayor Kawakami was asking for, but was denied from by Governor Ige. I guess time allows for perspective.
Can we expect the rest of the islands to follow suit?
The rest of the U.S. is welcoming visitors not trying to fleece them. Tourism has been VERY profitable for ALL the Hawaiian Islands. The vaccine has made travel a whole new deal. The vaccine passport is coming soon. Asking for two Covid tests could cost up to $500. Is Kauai determined to keep its unemployment rate among the highest anywhere? The people of Kauai have suffered enough from bureaucracy . It is time to cast aside the confinement of visitors and let vaccination passports be the rule that governs and unabated tourism be embraced.
See above