Hawaii delays reopening tourism sector by another month

Hawaii has decided to delay reopening its tourism sector for another month. It will now open on September 1.

The move comes in the wake of the rising Coronavirus cases in the Aloha State. It was earlier decided to allow tourists into Hawaii from August 1.

Hawaii Governor David Ige stated that all travellers who enter the state, even those who have tested negative for coronavirus, will be undergoing a mandatory 14-day quarantine.

The previous plan was to allow tourists, who have tested negative for COVID-19 within 72 hours of entering Hawaii, to bypass the mandatory 14-day quarantine starting from August. However, in view of the Coronavirus cases rising in numbers, officials said that it was impossible to reopen now.

The Governor acknowledged that he was aware that this delay will further hurt the state’s economy, but they are bound to make decisions keeping in mind the health of the people. He said that the virus outbreaks on the mainland are out of control and it is not likely that the situation will change dramatically by August 1.

It is believed that actual numbers are much higher because of unreported cases and testing shortages, prompting this decision to postpone the reopening date for tourism.

Hawaii introduced this 14-day quarantine rule in March, which was strictly implemented with jail time for offenders and expensive fines.