What does Hawaii remind you of? Sun-kissed beaches, rows of coconut trees swaying along the shores and Aloha! It’s a beautiful word, it can mean welcome or goodbye based on how you use it. In this context, it’s rather ironic that now the Hawaiian government is using this Aloha policy. Hawaii is paying its tourists to leave if they don’t abide by the quarantine rules. This is done to not only help travellers go back to their country but also to keep the virus at bay in Hawaii.
What’s In It?
Hawaii is now paying for tourists to leave if they won’t follow quarantine rules. The state agency that was so warm to visitors and has become strict if these travellers do not abide by Hawaii’s mandated two-week quarantine when they arrive. 438 people arrived by air, a 98.5 per cent decline from the 30,000 people who would arrive daily on average this time of year, according to the Tourism Authority.
The Hawaii Tourism Authority has set aside $25,000(₹19,05,312) for the costs to send rule-breaking tourists packing, with outbound flights being organized by the Visitor Aloha Society, a nonprofit organization that assists visitors with problems during their stay. “The ability to return people quickly to their airports of origin during the coronavirus crisis greatly assists law enforcement’s ability to ensure the success of our statewide emergency measures…The fact scarce government funds do not need to be expended for these return trips also helps fulfil the mission of keeping Hawaii safe.” Hawaii’s Attorney General Clare Connors said in a statement.
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What’s More?
According to the state’s Health Department, the state has paid to send 19 people back home since the rule was established on April 1st, 2020 during the coronavirus pandemic. One woman from Los Angeles was flown out after she was caught violating her quarantine when she shared images from the outdoors to social media. Another two visitors who were caught breaking quarantine were given a second chance, only to be caught again after they switched hotels, the Health Department said. In the other corner of the world, Singapore Extends Partial Lockdown Till June 1 Due To Sharp Surge In COVID-19 Cases Hawaii has seen a dramatic drop off of visitors as the country grapples with the spread of the coronavirus and global air travel tanks. The state has confirmed 596 coronavirus cases along with another 12 related deaths, according to data from Johns Hopkins University.