Mufi's Message 3.6.20

3/6/2020

COVID-19 Update

First and foremost, at the time of writing, there are still no confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Hawai'i. Six individuals have been tested for the coronavirus and all tests have come back negative. There are also 72 individuals who are currently self-monitoring at home with Department of Health supervision. Of these individuals, 65 are on O'ahu, two are on Hawai'i Island, three are on Maui, and two are on Kaua'i.

As you may have heard or read in the media, Governor David Ige has now issued an emergency proclamation in response to the threat of COVID-19 in Hawai'i. It is our position that the proclamation was the appropriate, emergency preparedness step that was taken to ensure that the State could act quickly and efficiently to access funding and support should an outbreak occur in Hawai'i. It must also be noted that the mayors in each county of Hawai'i have issued similar proclamations.

In the meantime, lodging industry stakeholders are continuing to meet and collaborate with State officials to ensure that we are well-aware of any updates to the situation. We continue to emphasize that Hawai'i is a safe place to visit and we are still very much open for business. The main thing at this time is to remain calm and to be proactive in our preparations for a possible future outbreak. This is not a time for panic, nor is it a time for complacency.

"Gov. Ige declares state of emergency after death of passenger on cruise ship that visited Hawaii," Honolulu Star-Advertiser, March 5, 2020

"Fear of travel heightens amid virus outbreak," KHON2, March 4, 2020