Governor David Ige announced on July 13 that Hawaii is extending the mandatory 14-day quarantine for out-of-state travelers through August. Ige said the move is in response to the increasing number of COVID-19 cases in the U.S., particularly in western states like California, and the decline in available testing supplies.
Ige also announced that there will be exemptions for registered out-of-state college students to attend school in Hawaii in the fall, a program developed by Hawaii Pacific University, Chaminade University, and the University of Hawaii, in preparation for its upcoming fall semesters.
The University of Hawaii The fall semester is scheduled to start on Monday, August 24. Exemptions are still being finalized and will be announced later this week. The exemption only covers students and not family members, and is only allowed in Oʻahu and Kauaʻi. At this time, there will be no exemption available in Maui counties and Hawaii Island.
The out-of-state student exemption adopts elements of the state’s pre-trip program that was scheduled to take effect on August 1, until the extension was announced. That includes the test requirement of a negative COVID-19 test, performed by a state-approved COVID-19 test taken within 72 hours of departure. The new exemptions will go further and are based on the concept of “college bubbles”.
“The idea is that a student, with a negative test result, instead of being in a total closure quarantine for 14 days, would be in what we refer to as a modified bubble quarantine,” he said. Uh President David lassner in the governor’s announcement. With that negative test, they would only be allowed to attend college activities. Other than that, they would remain at their place of residence for the 14-day period. “
Lassner said the modified bubble quarantines have additional requirements.
“A key aspect of the program is that we will be asked to do daily health checks on each and every one of our students participating in the program,” he said.
Exemptions will also include guidelines for students who cannot be tested before arrival; These students must be evaluated within a couple of days after arrival. Again, students would be required to remain in quarantine for 14 days or to be able to transition to a modified bubble quarantine once they receive a negative test result. Lassner thanked Ige, the Department of Health, the State Attorney General’s Office, and the county mayors for their support and assistance.
“We literally took thousands of students to Hawaii to participate in higher education. We have a much closer relationship than with typical visitors to Hawaii those who arrive and practically leave alone, “added Lassner. “All the Hawaii colleges and universities are committed to providing the best possible educational experience for our students, while protecting the health and safety of all students, teachers, and other employees. “
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