HomeMy WebLinkAbout2020-12-31GovernorapprovesMayorKawakamisrulesoninterislandtravelandresortbubblesDEREK S.K. KAWAKAMI, MAYOR
MICHAEL A. DAHILIG, MANAGING DIRECTOR
News Release
For Immediate Release: December 31, 2020
COUNTY OF KAUA‘I
OFFICE OF THE MAYOR
SARAH K. BLANE, CHIEF OF STAFF
(808) 241-4900
Governor Ige approves Mayor Kawakami’s rules on inter-island travel and ‘resort
bubbles’
LĪHU‘E – Gov. David Ige on Wednesday approved two changes to Kaua‘i’s travel quarantine rules
requested by Mayor Derek Kawakami, effective January 5, 2021.
Gov. Ige signed Mayor Kawakami’s Amended Emergency Rule 23, allowing inter-island travelers
who have been in the State of Hawai‘i for more than three days to participate in the Safe Travels Pre-
Travel Testing Program for quarantine exemptions.
The Governor also signed Mayor Kawakami’s Emergency Rule 24, which authorizes a pre- and
post-travel testing program at Enhanced Movement Quarantine (EMQ) “resort bubble” properties.
Travelers who take a pre-travel test, quarantine for three days on the “resort bubble” property, then
take a post-travel test, will be released from quarantine with negative test results.
The County of Kaua‘i is announcing the following new travel protocols for both inter-island and
mainland travelers effective Tuesday, Jan. 5:
Inter-island travel
Travelers flying to Kaua‘i from O‘ahu, Maui County, or the Big Island of Hawai‘i, who have been
in the State of Hawai‘i for more than 72 hours before departing for Kaua‘i, can avoid quarantine by
taking the following steps:
• Create a Safe Travels account and complete the mandatory State of Hawai‘i Travel and Health
Form at: https://travel.hawaii.gov/
• Take a pre-travel test from one of the State of Hawai‘i’s Trusted Testing and Travel Partners
after you have been in Hawai‘i for more than three days, but within 72 hours of arriving on
Kaua‘i: https://hawaiicovid19.com/travel-partners/
• Upload negative test results to your Safe Travels account. The Safe Travels program is currently
being updated to accommodate Kaua‘i travelers. For now, travelers should plan to present a
hard copy of their negative test result for review at Līhu‘e Airport.
• Safe Travels records will be used to verify that you have not traveled out of state in the past
three days.
Transpacific travel “resort bubbles”
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. To qualify, travelers must do the
following:
• Create a Safe Travels account and complete the mandatory State of Hawai‘i Travel and Health
Form at: https://travel.hawaii.gov/
• Take a pre-travel test within 72 hours before arriving on Kaua‘i and receive a negative test
result.
o This test can be any COVID-19 diagnostic test (antigen or PCR test) with emergency use
authorization from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
o The lab does not need to be on the state’s Trusted Testing and Travel Partners list for
use in Kaua‘i’s resort bubble program.
• Make a reservation at an approved Enhanced Movement Quarantine (EMQ) “resort bubble”
hotel on Kaua‘i:
o The Cliffs at Princeville
o Hilton Garden Inn Kaua‘i Wailua Bay
o Ko‘a Kea Hotel & Resort at Poʻipū
o The Club at Kukui‘ula
o Timbers Kaua‘i Ocean Club & Residences at Hoku‘ala
o Kaua‘i Marriott Resort & Beach Club
• Complete the County of Kaua‘i arrival form by visiting www.kauai.gov/COVID-19 and clicking on
the “Kaua‘i Arrival Form” button at the top of the page.
• Guests should consult their resort for transportation options as travelers will not be allowed to
rent a car until released from quarantine.
• Provide proof of your negative pre-travel test result to resort staff upon check-in.
• After three days on Kaua‘i, take a post-travel test. Guests should consult resort on post-travel
testing options.
• Resort staff will verify your negative post-travel test result and will update the system to release
you from quarantine.
Properties interested in learning more about becoming an EMQ may email the Kaua‘i
Emergency Management Agency at kema@kauai.gov.
Quarantine for 10 days
Participation in either the inter-island Safe Travels program or the “resort bubble” post-travel
testing program is voluntary.
Travelers may also stay in non-“resort bubble” hotels and motels, but they will be subject to the
full 10-day traveler quarantine without a post-travel testing opportunity, and cannot leave their rooms
until after the 10th day.
Returning residents may quarantine at their residence without leaving their property for 10
days.
All travelers subject to quarantine must complete a Kaua‘i Arrival Form upon arrival. Forms can
be submitted online prior to arrival by visiting www.kauai.gov/COVID-19 and clicking on the “Kaua‘i
Arrival Form” button at the top of the page.
Critical workers and medical appointments
The County of Kaua‘i continues its modified quarantine program for critical infrastructure
employees and those who must travel for medical needs. To apply for a modified quarantine, or for
more information about travel to Kaua‘i and the Emergency Rules, please visit
http://www.kauai.gov/COVID-19.
Travelers approved for a modified quarantine must complete a Kaua‘i Arrival Form upon arrival.
Forms can be completed ahead of time by visiting www.kauai.gov/COVID-19 and clicking on the “Kaua‘i
Arrival Form” button at the top of the page.
For more information on Kaua‘i’s new travel protocols, please visit www.kauai.gov/COVID-19.
###