(TAN): Hawaii’s governor asked all visitors to delay their trips to the island for at least 30 days as the American state tries to stem the spread of the coronavirus.
“With Hawaii’s aloha spirit and hospitality, we have always prided ourselves on sharing our islands and culture with the world. However, with the threat of COVID-19, we need to take care of our people and communities first. I am strongly encouraging our guests to postpone their vacations for at least the next 30 days, and reschedule it for a later date,” Governor David Ige was quoted by The Points Guy as saying.
Ige issued a series of measures, such as urging tourists to reschedule their vacations to a later date, improving screening of passengers arriving by cruise ship or at airports, and closing all nonessential travel in Hawaii, including those between islands, as per reports.
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While he reportedly said the measures might come across as severe now, they will ensure faster recovery later.
“These actions may seem extreme to some of you. But taking aggressive actions now will allow us to have quicker recovery once the crisis is over,” he was quoted by New York Post as saying.
The actions could also affect the state’s tourism sector that contributes substantially to Hawaii’s economy, reports said.
“We do know there will be significant impact,” Ige added.
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He also urged everyone to restrict Limit social gatherings to groups of ten or less in accordance with the guidelines laid down by Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, shut down bars, clubs, theatres, entertainment centres and visitor attractions, close restaurants or opt for drive-through, take out, pick-up, or delivery services, and suspend activities in places of worship.
The orders also asked people to stay at home if they are high-risk individuals and take further preventive measures, stay away from nursing homes, retirement or long-term care facilities, and keep every member at home if a member of the household is found infected with the virus.
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