Hawaii Extends State of Emergency Through July, but Lifts Quarantine Rule for Inter-state Travelers (Video)

Hawaii extended its COVID-19 state of emergency until July 31 as it slowly begins to reopen the state.

Beginning June 16, locals will be able to travel between Hawaiian islands without having to quarantine for two weeks. Passengers at airports will have their temperature taken by a scanner — anyone with a fever of more than 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit will not be permitted to fly.

Out-of-state travelers who land in the island state must undergo a self-imposed 14-day quarantine, as Gov. David Ige noted that select areas in the United States have seen recent upticks in their coronavirus cases.

“We are working very hard toward re-opening out-of-state travel, but we’re not there yet,” Ige said in a statement. “We are being very cautious. There are new virus flare-ups in key mainland markets – including California where more than 2,000 new cases were reported yesterday. Oregon, Arizona and Texas are also reporting their highest number of new daily cases.”

The governor also has the power to make exemptions for the mandated out-of-state quarantine for select transit corridors or “bubbles” over the coming weeks, the announcement read.

Rules for activities including boating, hiking, and shoreline fishing, are up to individual counties along with the state Department of Land and Natural Resources.

Part of Hawaii’s success containing its coronavirus outbreak can be attributed to its enforcement of lockdown rules that were implemented on March 26. Earlier this week, a Hawaii resident was arrested after breaking the required 14-day quarantine after her arrival in Honolulu from San Diego, The Associated Press reported.

For locals, life has gradually resumed as restaurants opened on O'ahu and the Big Island earlier this month on June 5. In Maui beach parks and some county pools have also opened.

Hawaii has had the lowest coronavirus numbers in the nation, with only 685 confirmed cases and 17 deaths, according to the state health department.