On Tuesday, October 19, 2021, Hawaii Governor David Ige made an announcement welcoming absolutely vaccinated residents and guests to renew nonessential journey to and throughout the Hawaiian Islands starting November 1. New COVID-19 circumstances, hospitalizations, and deaths have decreased considerably in current weeks, and 70% of eligible residents have now been vaccinated.
Again on August 23, throughout a surge of the COVID-19 Delta variant that noticed each day new circumstances prime 1000, Ige urged all residents and nonresidents to postpone nonessential Hawaii journey plans. Hospital beds have been filling quick, medical staffing was stretched so skinny that nurses have been flown in to fill the gaps, and deaths have been on the rise. Companies that depend on customer spending have been shocked by the daring, drastic step. Healthcare trade officers and staff applauded.
Tuesday’s announcement by the governor was welcomed by tourism officers, because the August 23 urge to postpone Hawaii journey resulted in a drastic increase in cancellations, as much as 50% at some Hawaii inns and resorts. Ige made Tuesday’s official announcement throughout a personal occasion at Hilo Worldwide Airport on the Massive Island.
We right here at Hawaii Aloha Journey additionally welcome the governor’s announcement welcoming again guests. Nonetheless, we really feel that it’s vital to level out that that is solely a change in official messaging. It’s a “walking-back” of the August 23 plea to postpone Hawaii journey, which didn’t add any new restrictions.
Present journey and restrictions and necessities stay in place, as do vaccination mandates carried out all through Hawaii’s counties. These restrictions are prone to stay in impact via the remainder of 2021.
Ige’s announcement highlights the truth that the Hawaii’s efforts to curb the unfold of COVID are working. Hawaii’s declining COVID numbers show the efficacy of masks and vaccine mandates, regardless of the objections of a small however vocal group of anti-mask and “anti-vax mandate” residents.
We’re cautiously optimistic that Hawaii could also be “turning the nook” on the pandemic. However we do keep in mind officers and Hawaii’s media being upbeat early in the summertime earlier than the Delta wave hit the Hawaiian Islands and new circumstances, hospitalizations, and deaths spiked to actually horrifying ranges.
Gathering restrictions at the moment are being loosened county-by-county as these numbers proceed to drop. Masking and vaccination necessities stay in place and differ among the many counties. It may be complicated for these planning a Hawaii trip, significantly those that plan to go to a number of islands.
It’s vital to know the precise insurance policies which might be in place on every island, and which insurance policies are statewide. HAT has been monitoring the pandemic because it started 18 months in the past (a 12 months and a half!), and we have now all of the very important data you’ll must plan your dream Hawaii trip.
The clouded skies of the way forward for Hawaii journey and tourism are clearing. Hawaii Aloha Journey is right here to welcome you (or welcome you again). Restrictions and necessities stay, however Hawaii is open once more. E komo mai!
Posted by: Jamie Winpenny
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