New rules aimed to curb the spread of COVID-19 may have an impact on the recovery of Hawaii’s tourism industry, some say, according to a KITV 4 report.
As of Jan. 26, all individuals traveling by air and entering the U.S. from a foreign country are required to show proof of a negative COVID-19 test result or medical proof that they have recovered from the virus. President Joe Biden signed an executive order on Jan. 21.
The order requires airlines to stop travelers who do not or cannot show proof of these things from getting on airplanes.
Airlines with direct flights to Hawaii from foreign countries (Japan, Canada, South Korea and the Philippines, for example) say they are enforcing the order.
The new federal order will have an effect on the state’s tourism. According to the Hawaii Tourism Authority, the majority of international travelers come to Hawaii through domestic flights.
Business owner Mira Yoon told KITV4 Island News that both of her businesses, and other local businesses will feel the impact of this federal order. Yoon runs a tour company called Tournet and La Bella, a wedding consultancy.
"Our business is very suffering. It stopped. So all of our workers are not working at all," she said. "We heard some of the hospitals, labs, they decide to participate in this program so I hope they get together and the Hawaii government can organize and announce the good news to Korea," Yoon said.
There may be a way for South Koreans to bypass the 10-day mandatory quarantine by showing a negative COVID-19 test result, if Gov. David Ige approves the plan.
Other groups are asking to be added to the Safe Travels program, including members of the Filipino business community, which seeks to have the Philippines added.
The Philippine Consulate General, located in Honolulu issued a statement calling the rule a “necessary measure to ensure the health and safety of all,” even if the new rule is an inconvenience.
Not all see this as a good thing though. For example, Wayne Ishihara, president of the Honolulu Japanese Chamber of Commerce, said that it takes away progress made since Japan joined the pre-travel testing program last year.
"We were hoping this past year to celebrate with many of our Japan business relation companies are a celebration of a 120th anniversary of our organization," Ishihara said. "If it loosens up a bit in a bubble, they are willing to come to do their business and to strengthen the relationships that they've established with us here in Hawaii."
A representative for the governor’s office has said that there are no changes coming to the Safe Travels program for the time being.