HONOLULU — One of the leaders in preparing the state for hurricanes said Tuesday that people arriving at shelters might have their temperature checked this year because of the coronavirus pandemic.
Hawaii Emergency Management Agency Administrator Luke Meyers said shelters may have less capacity because of the need for people to maintain social distance.
He said the state is encouraging residents to shelter in places where they are most comfortable, like at home or at a relative’s place, if possible.
Meyers said the state has had some conversations with county officials and the Hawaii Tourism Authority about using hotels as shelters if a hurricane threatens the islands during the pandemic. But he said nothing specific has been identified.
Meyers spoke during a Facebook Live conversation with Gov. David Ige.
Tropical Storm Douglas was about 2,000 miles (3,300 kilometers) east of Hilo on Tuesday.
The National Hurricane Center forecasts it will become a hurricane on Wednesday but then weaken to tropical storm as it approaches waters near Hawaii’s Big Island early next week.