HomeMy WebLinkAbout2020-09-15MayorKawakamiannouncesEmergencyRule16
THE COUNTY OF KAUA‘I
DEREK S. K. KAWAKAMI, MAYOR
MICHAEL A. DAHILIG, MANAGING DIRECTOR
News Release
For Immediate Release: September 15, 2020
KAUA‘I EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCY
ELTON USHIO, ADMINISTRATOR
Tel (808) 241-1800
Fax (808) 241-1860
Mayor Kawakami announces Emergency Rule 16 establishing ‘Resort
Bubble’ program
LĪHU’E – Mayor Derek S. K. Kawakami announced a new emergency rule which
establishes an Enhanced Movement Quarantine, or “Resort Bubble,” program.
Gov. David Ige signed Mayor’s Emergency Rule 16 authorizing the Enhanced Movement
Quarantine program which would permit visitors to leave their hotel rooms to utilize the resort’s
property during their mandatory quarantine period. This Resort Bubble concept is a voluntary
program for both the resort to participate and the visitor to stay there.
“We understand the need to address the economic hardship facing our tourism-based
community, while also preserving the safety of our residents,” said Mayor Kawakami. “The
Resort Bubble program is an added tool to reopening our economy while we learn to co-exist
with this virus. It’s not a replacement or the final solution, and we will continue to keep our
community updated as we make progress.”
In order to participate, resorts must establish security and enforcement policies to
protect the safety of both guests and employees of the resort. Security and enforcement are the
responsibility of the resort, and all rules, such as mask wearing and physical distancing, must be
followed.
Visitors who wish to stay at an Enhanced Movement Quarantine resort must agree to
wear an electronic monitoring bracelet that is tracked by the resort. Within established limits,
they can utilize the entire resort property, including on-site pools and restaurants. If the
monitoring unit is tampered with or the visitor leaves the resort property, hotel security will notify
the Kaua‘i Police Department for enforcement.
Any person violating any rule of the governor or mayor, if convicted, could face a fine of
up to $5,000 or serve up to a year in jail, or both.
Several Kaua‘i hotels have expressed interest in participating in the program, but no
launch date has yet been determined as stakeholder discussions are ongoing. Updates on the
Enhanced Movement Quarantine, or Resort Bubble, program will be announced as more
information becomes available.
To view the governor’s proclamations, the mayor’s emergency rules, and for local
updates on Kaua‘i’s coronavirus response, visit the Kaua‘i Emergency Management Agency
website, www.kauai.gov/COVID-19.
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