HomeMy WebLinkAbout2020-10-06 Mayor Kim wants Second Round of Testing Post-Travel to Hawaii to Ensure Community's Safety -- press release
Roy Takemoto
Managing Director
Harry Kim
Mayor
Barbara J. Kossow
Deputy Managing Director
County of Hawai‘i
Office of the Mayor
25 Aupuni Street, Suite 2603 Hilo, Hawai‘i 96720 (808) 961-8211 Fax (808) 961-6553
KONA: 74-5044 Ane Keohokālole Hwy., Bldg C Kailua-Kona, Hawai‘i 96740
(808) 323-4444 Fax (808) 323-4440
October 6, 2020
NEWS RELEASE
Mayor Kim Seeks Post-Travel Testing to Ensure Community’s Safety
Hawai‘i County Mayor Harry Kim said on Tuesday he wants to establish a round of
post-travel testing as well as pre-travel testing for COVID-19, to ensure the safety of
the community as Hawai‘i tries to reopen amid the pandemic.
“I just don’t think we should take the risk with one COVID-19 test taken up to three days
before travelling,” Mayor Kim said. “There are so many variables involved in a pre-travel
test that could make the tests unreliable; we have to have a second test upon arrival in
Hawai‘i.”
The number of potential positive cases being introduced to the community would pose
too high of a risk, Mayor Kim said. Approximately 2,000 visitors are coming to Hawai‘i
every day, with an estimated 5,000 arrivals a day once the one-test policy goes into
effect.
The Mayor said he and the other three mayors on Tuesday discussed a two-test policy
for transpacific travel, instead of the policy that goes into effect on October 15, whereby
a single negative result of a test taken up to three days before travel would eliminate the
need to quarantine for 14 days.
“We need time to work out the logistics of administering a second test, but it will be
worth it,” Mayor Kim said. He said a definitive decision would be forthcoming this week.
Currently, all travelers arriving in Hawai‘i must quarantine for 14 days after arrival from
the Mainland. Interisland travel from O‘ahu and between the Neighbor Islands is also
subject to the 14-day quarantine.
County of Hawai‘i is an Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer.