Urgent alerts from Hawaii as restrictions are reinstated

Hawaii is facing alarming warnings as hospitals reach their limits during a spike in COVID-19 cases. The state's governor is urging travelers to avoid visiting, stating, "Now is not a safe time to travel. The islands are not a good destination at the moment."

According to the Associated Press, Gov. David Ige is not imposing any formal travel restrictions currently, but he is advising tourists to rethink their plans to visit the islands.

Although the governor mentioned that a lockdown isn't being considered at this point, it could become a possibility if the situation worsens. He emphasized that Hawaii's hospitals are overwhelmed and intensive care units are filled to capacity.

At present, tourists are not primarily responsible for the spread of COVID-19 within the community. Earlier this month, the governor noted that most infections are from unvaccinated residents. He also stated during the news conference on August 13 that only about 1% to 2% of new COVID-19 cases are attributed to visitors.

The governor warns that the rapidly escalating number of COVID-19 cases, alongside existing issues like traffic congestion, workforce shortages, and insufficient restaurant capacity, indicates it's not an ideal time for tourists to come. There are significant shortages affecting everything from restaurant staff to rental cars and hotel accommodations.

As reported by the Honolulu Star-Advertiser on Sunday, Aug. 22, the state experienced its highest daily increase in cases since the start of the pandemic, with 893 new or suspected cases. Mathematician Monique Chyba, who is analyzing COVID-19 projections for Hawaii, stated that her updated models suggest the state could reach 3,700 daily cases by early October.

Honolulu Mayor Rick Blangiardi has reinstated restrictions on large gatherings and events. He is requesting the state to close beaches and parks once again. Additionally, he has issued a new emergency health order limiting restaurant and bar capacity to 50%, likely exacerbating the shortage of dining options.

During the Monday news conference, Gov. Ige acknowledged that "Our request to limit travel to the islands strictly for essential purposes will affect the number of visitors, but I also want to stress that our hospitals are overwhelmed and our ICUs are full ... While I recognize this poses a risk, it’s a necessary step to reduce travel until our health care facilities are in a better position."