Gov. David Ige on Friday said a mandatory quarantine for travelers, in place to curb the spread of COVID-19, may — as a last resort — be broken to gather supplies and materials in preparation of Hurricane Douglas.
As of Friday afternoon, Douglas, the first major hurricane of the season, was a Category 3 storm located 725 miles east-southeast of Hilo, moving west-northwest at 18 mph with maximum winds of 115 mph.
Douglas is expected to pass near the Hawaiian Islands Sunday and Monday. Although gradual weakening will continue through the weekend, the National Weather Service expects the storm to be near hurricane strength when it reaches Hawaii.
“I would like to remind everyone who is in quarantine that you should remain in quarantine to the extent possible,” Ige said during a news conference Friday. “If you need supplies, please ask a friend and others to provide and help you acquire them.
“As a last resort, if you need to, you can break quarantine to get the needed supplies as necessary, but please, we ask you to maintain physical distance (and) utilize noncontact retail transactions to the extent possible … so you can maintain physical distance and reduce the ability to infect others.”
Ige said they will be required to return to quarantine after getting supplies.
Mayor Harry Kim, however, spoke out against the possibility.
“Don’t break quarantine,” he said told the Tribune-Herald on Friday. “I don’t want to compound one problem and cause another.”
Kim explained that if someone needs emergency supplies during quarantine, they should shelter in place and contact the individuals monitoring their quarantine.
“They know exactly where to find you,” he said.
However, Kim said it is OK to break quarantine if one’s safety is in jeopardy.
Ige said individuals will be asked to shelter in place, but if they believe the quarantine site isn’t safe, those individuals should contact the state Department of Health, other emergency responders, or go to an emergency shelter.
According to Ige, new procedures will be implemented in all emergency shelters across the state to help guard against COVID-19.
People will be kept at least 6 feet of apart, which means the number of people allowed at any given shelter will be “dramatically reduced.”
All counties have been working to identify additional shelter spaces, the governor said.
Kim said the county will list available shelter locations as the storm approaches.
“All of the resorts and hotels have an arrangement with the county to be used as a shelter if they need, and that still stands,” he said.
According to Ige, anyone seeking assistance at an emergency shelter should bring face masks, hand sanitizer and sanitizing wipes. The state also will implement increased sanitation efforts and cleaning requirements in each emergency shelter to minimize the risk of infection.
Ige also said there are plans in place if an individual with COVID-19 is identified in a shelter.
The DOH will respond quickly to identify others who may be exposed or have a close contact with the individual and would work to isolate that individual as quickly as possible, he explained.
Ige said the DOH also has hotel rooms available for isolation, should a shelter resident test positive for the virus.
Luke Meyers, administrator for Hawaii Emergency Management Agency, urged residents and visitors to know the dangers in their communities as the hurricane nears.
“Obviously, we’re dealing with a number of situations with COVID-19, and with the hurricane approaching us, we know that things are going to get wet, things are going to blow and things are going to slide, so knowing the hazards in your area is extremely important.”
The Hawaii National Guard is also prepared to respond to Hurricane Douglas, while continuing to assist the state in COVID-19 mitigation efforts.
Currently, there are more than 700 National Guard personnel assisting counties and the state with COVID-19 needs.
“The Hawaii National Guard is prepared to provide support, in response to Hurricane Douglas, to the counties as needed,” said Brig. Gen. Moses Kaoiwi Jr., Hawaii National Guard Joint Task Force Commander. “While a large number of our force is dedicated to COVID-19 mitigation, we still have service members not actively supporting the COVID-19 mission. These soldiers and airmen could be activated on State Active Duty status.”
Reporter Michael Brestovansky contributed to this article.
Email Stephanie Salmons at ssalmons@hawaiitribune-herald.com.