NEWS
Hawaii Now Paying for Tourists to Leave
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Tourists in Hawaii who don’t follow the state’s 14-day quarantine requirement may find themselves on the next plane home.
According to CNN, the tourism authority has set aside $25,000 to cover the costs of sending tourists away if they refuse to abide by the 14-day quarantine.
“The ability to return people quickly to their airports of origin during the coronavirus crisis greatly assists law enforcement’s ability to ensure the success of our statewide emergency measures,” Hawaii State Attorney General Clare Connors said in a statement reported by CNN. “The fact scarce government funds do not need to be expended for these return trips also helps fulfill the mission of keeping Hawaii safe.”
CNN 19 people have been flown back to their originating airport since the beginning of the emergency. In some cases the violators have been prosecuted for misdemeanors and forced to pay a fine.
Hawaii’s Governor David Ige established a mandatory two-week quarantine for all out-of-state travelers and inter-island travelers on April 1 and has strongly encouraged tourists to avoid coming to the islands.
