Daily News Digest

Office of the Governor: Today is the first day of the governor’s order that all arrivals to Hawai‘i undergo, mandatory, 14-day-long self-quarantine. This applies to all visitors and returning Hawai‘i residents. Initial reports indicate that incoming airport traffic was light, as expected, and that the process on this first day of the mandatory order, for the most part, went smoothly. https://governor.hawaii.gov/newsroom/latest-news/governors-office-news-release-gov-ige-orders-mandatory-14-day-quarantine-for-all-individuals-arriving-or-returning-to-the-state-of-hawaiʻi/ Office of the Lt. Governor: Lt. Governor Green is the State Liaison for Healthcare Response. He spent the past three weeks speaking with the healthcare community and visiting facilities, including five major hospitals statewide. Approximately 200 providers [...]

Office of the Governor: Gov. David Ige’s third supplementary proclamation Monday, ordering the entire state to stay at home and work from home started today and continues through April 30, 2020 12:01 a.m. Wednesday, Mar. 25 through Apr. 30. Essential workers are exempt. This order is intended to stop the spread of COVID-19 in our communities. https://governor.hawaii.gov/newsroom/latest-news/office-of-the-governor-news-release-governor-ige-issues-statewide-order-to-stay-at-home-work-from-home-to-fight-covid-19/ Gov. Ige’s second supplemental emergency proclamation ordering all individuals, both residents and visitors, arriving or returning to the State of Hawaiʻi to a mandatory 14-day self-quarantine takes effect after midnight, tonight. The mandate — the first such action in the nation — applies to [...]

Honolulu and Maui Stay-at-Home Orders Honolulu Mayor Kirk Caldwell and Maui Mayor Michael Victorino have issued stay-at-home, work-at-home orders for their islands. In the City and County of Honolulu the order takes effect today (March 23, 2020) at 4:30 p.m. and requires all residents to stay and work from home through Thursday, April 30, 2020 at 4:30 p.m. Certain essential activities associated with identified essential businesses and services are not covered by the Mayor’s order. On Maui the Mayor’s order takes effect on Wednesday, March 25, 2020 at 12:01 a.m. and continues until April 30, 2020. Both orders [...]

Governor’s Order for Self-Quarantine of All Travelers to Hawai‘i Effective, Thursday, March 26, 2020, Governor David Ige has ordered that all persons entering the State of Hawai‘i to self-quarantine for 14 days or for the duration of their stay in Hawai‘i, whichever is shorter. Upon arrival, residents are required to self-quarantine in a designated location in their residence.  Visitors will self-quarantine in their hotel room or rented lodging. Self-quarantined individuals may only leave their designated location for medical emergencies or to seek medical care. Failure to comply with all rules and protocols related to quarantines is punishable by fines [...]

March 21 Update  Be Considerate When Purchasing Food and Supplies The DOH reminds the public to be judicious when shopping for food and essential goods so that kūpuna and others in need are able to purchase necessary items. The Hawai‘i Department of Transportation (HDOT) Harbors Division continues to manage Hawai‘i’s commercial ports–the lifeline for Hawai‘i communities for food, medical supplies, clothing, household goods and more. There have been no interruptions to the supply chain as a result of COVID-19. Who should be tested? Most people who are sick do not need to be tested. There is no specific medicine [...]

COVID-19 Daily Update The Importance of Mental Health As we head into the weekend, the Hawai‘i Department of Health (DOH) encourages everyone to take care of themselves and heed the social distancing directives by Gov. David Ige and county officials. Here are four suggestions to keep busy and stay at ease: You can remain active and go outdoors while still complying with social distancing directives. Although all of Hawai‘i’s state parks and facilities are now either fully or partially closed, the forest reserves (https://dlnr.hawaii.gov/forestry/frs/reserves/) and Na Hele Trail and Access Program trails (https://hawaiitrails.hawaii.gov/trails/#/) remain open at this time. [...]

March 19 Status Updates Counties Roll Out Plans to Mitigate the Spread of COVID-19 Following the State of Hawai‘i’s plan for “15-Days to Slow the Spread” of COVID-19, Hawai‘i’s mayors have recently implemented county plans that are geared to their island residents. Department of Health supports everyone’s efforts to keep the community safe and healthy. “We can be more effective in mitigating the spread of COVID-19 if everyone takes these aggressive actions seriously,” said Bruce Anderson, director of the Hawai‘i Department of Health. “The response to the Governor and County directives has been positive so far and there [...]

March 18 Update DOH Launches New, Dedicated COVID-19 Website Today  Today, the Hawai‘i Department of Health (DOH) unveiled a new website for the public to access the latest information on COVID-19 in Hawai‘i. The State of Hawai‘i has mobilized an inter-agency collaborative effort to keep the community safe and healthy. The website, hawaiicovid19.com will go live at 3pm. The website provides timely information and resources on the coronavirus, including guidance on how to prevent and mitigate community spread, common symptoms of COVID-19, and frequently asked questions. Please read and share the information. By providing our family and friends, [...]

Proper Use of COVID-19 Tests Imperative There is a current shortage of hand sanitizers and toilet paper in Hawai‘i in part because of the public’s over-reaction to COVID-19. The Hawai‘i Department of Health (DOH) wants to avoid having the same shortage of COVID-19 test resources by making sure the public understands how to properly utilize the newly established screening sites. If people who are well or experiencing mild flu-like symptoms go to the screening sites, there potentially may be insufficient testing supplies for those who critically need the tests, including older adults and those with existing health conditions. [...]

March 16 Hawai‘i Department of Health Status Update Three new confirmed cases of COVID-19 identified on O‘ahu and Maui As of March 16, 2020, as of 3:30 pm, there are a total of 10 confirmed or presumptive positive cases of COVID-19 in Hawai‘i. Three new positive results were announced today for two O‘ahu residents, and one visitor on Maui. The Department of Health (DOH) is monitoring all of these individuals and supervising their isolation as well as the self-quarantine of their family members.  COVID-19 testing is not for individuals who are well or experiencing mild to moderate flu-like [...]