Thermal temperature screening equipment is now in use at the Big Island’s two main airports, the state Department of Transportation announced Wednesday.
The equipment is used to help detect passengers with a temperature of 100.4 degrees or warmer. Equipment is installed at gates that welcome arriving trans-Pacific flights at Ellison Onizuka Kona International Airport at Keahole and Hilo International Airport, as well as at Honolulu’s Daniel K. Inouye International Airport, Maui’s Kahului Airport and Kauai’s Lihue Airport.
“The thermal screening equipment is a positive feature that streamlines the process for people traveling to Hawaii, while also working to keep the community safe by detecting people with a fever,” said Gov. David Ige. “The equipment is a step in the direction of what will be the new normal as we move forward in the COVID-19 era.”
The equipment presents an alert if someone is detected to have a temperature of 100.4 degrees or more. The method replaces taking temperatures via hand-held thermometers.
Should a person present a temperature warmer than 100.4, a trained Hawaii National Guard member or airport representative will pull that passenger aside for further evaluation.
American Medical Response paramedics or Aircraft Rescue Fire Fighting units stationed at the airport will verify the passenger’s temperature, according to the state Department of Transportation. The passenger will be offered a COVID-19 test and the person’s information will be collected to provide to the state Department of Health for contact tracing, if necessary.
The installation of the equipment at gates that welcome arriving trans-Pacific flights is the first of three phases being implemented. The second phase, to be completed by Aug. 20, includes installing the temperature scanning equipment at all remaining gates.
The final phase, which includes facial imaging equipment, should be finished by Dec. 31.
On Tuesday, a total of 3,029 people arrived in Hawaii from outside the state, including 922 visitors and 979 returning residents, via 34 flights.
That figure includes 250 people who came to Kona International Airport via five flights. Of the 250 people, 13 were crew, three were in transit, 54 were moving to the area, 94 were returning residents and 86 were visitors.
None of the arrivals were exempt from the state’s 14-day mandatory quarantine.
Since July 29, 1,185 people have arrived at Kona International Airport via out-of-state flights.