Coronavirus Update: Hawaii May Shut Down Non-Essential Travel; Lieutenant Governor Says Healthcare ‘Vulnerable’

Hawaii is considering banning any non-essential travel to the island after the first cases of community spread of COVID-19 were reported.

Eric Shawn, the host of “America’s News HQ,” spoke with Lieutenant Governor Dr. Josh Green, who also takes up duties of an emergency room physician, about the situation and the steps being taken by the authorities in Hawaii as Coronavirus pandemic spreads.

Two positive cases of coronavirus with no history of travel were reported in the Aloha State. “Right now our order today is going to be next few hours to shut down any travel to Hawaii unless you live here or you are essential healthcare personnel,” Green told Shawn.

He mentioned that of 37 confirmed cases, 35 have been from travel to the mainland U.S. or other countries of the world. Green stressed that Hawaii loves to welcome tourists from everywhere, but the need of the hour is to lock down and contain the spread.

He added that the healthcare system in Hawaii is “vulnerable,” and the government should view the situation through the “health lens.” During the interview, the lieutenant governor cited the example of how South Korea and Japan slowed down the spread and tested every contact. He warned that they could not make the same mistakes Italy made. “That's why you are seeing stronger leadership up across the board to say shut it down, slow the spread.”

Meanwhile, Hawaii Governor David Ige said in a statement that the island had initiated a compulsory 14-day self-quarantine of all people returning to the state.

People placed under quarantine are only allowed to leave their homes to address a medical emergency or to seek any medical care, ABC News reported. The governor’s office also stated that failure to follow this order would result in a maximum fine of $5,000, or imprisonment of not more than one year or both.

The coronavirus death toll has surpassed 13,000, with more than 300,000 confirmed cases across the world. Several countries have implemented travel bans to address the coronavirus crisis.