Hawai’i COVID-19 Daily News Digest March 25, 2020
Posted on Mar 25, 2020 in COVID-19Office 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.
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 all arrivals at state airports from the continental U.S. and international destinations and extends to other private and commercial aircrafts. Please see more information below under Dept. of Transportation.
Dept. of Health:
DOH reports the following update on COVID-19 cases as of 12:00 noon on 3-25-20
- 6 new cases (5 Hawai‘i residents, 1 visitor)
- Honolulu (4 new cases, total of 68)
- Hawai‘i (0 new cases, total of 5)
- Maui (1 new case, total of 13)
- Kaua‘i (1 new case, total of 5)
- Risk Factors (2 new travel related cases, 59 total)
- 95 total cases since 2/28/20
DOH is waiving routine tuberculosis clearance requirements for selected groups to support COVID-19 mitigation efforts. The suspension will remain in effect through May 31, 2020. The suspension will support social distancing in the community to protect the public, especially vulnerable seniors and individuals with medical conditions that could increase their risk for COVID-19.
Dept. of Transportation:
Tomorrow (3-26-20) is the first day of implementation of self-quarantine rules for all incoming passengers (residents and visitors) to Hawai‘i. Arriving passengers should anticipate and allow extra time to deplane. Visitor arrival numbers are dropping drastically already. The percentage drop of arriving passengers is down 87 percent from the same period last year (4,131 arriving passengers as of 3-24-20 compared to 32,330 on the same day in 2019).
In accordance with Governor Ige’s Stay at Home and Work from Home orders and considering the decreased volumes on Hawaii roads, HDOT’s Highways Division suspended operations of the State’s special use lanes this morning.
Dept. of Hawaiian Homelands:
The Hawaiian Homes Commission has approved an emergency postponement of mortgage payments for DHHL direct loans and loans assigned to DHHL during as the State faces the COVID-19 pandemic. HHC’s approval allows for the deferral of all applicable payments for a period of six months, effective with the April 2020 payment.
https://dhhl.hawaii.gov/2020/03/24/hawaiian-homes-commission-approves-dhhl-loan-deferral/
Dept. of Human Services:
The State of Hawaii Department of Human Services (DHS) is taking aggressive actions to protect the health and safety of the individuals and families we serve by maintaining essential services to help the people of Hawaii during this COVID-19 crisis. Department leaders, and community stakeholders are working to ensure all DHS essential services will continue to be provided, but in a modified manner. This means limiting face-to-face contact with the public to protect the health and safety of everyone, especially vulnerable individuals, as well as DHS employees and providers.
Dept. of Education:
DOE has announced school facilities will remain closed to students through April 30, based on the latest guidance and information from health officials and elected leaders. Traditional, in-school instruction is on hold until schools reopen. Nine additional Grab-and-go sites began breakfast and lunch service today. Meals will not be served Thursday, March 26, which is Prince Kuhio Day.
https://www.hawaiipublicschools.org/DOE%20Forms/Emergencies/2020GrabandGo.pdf