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Hawaii to extend COVID-19 restrictions due to high cases

Oct. 04, 2021
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3 min read
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Hawaii to extend COVID-19 restrictions due to high cases
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The coronavirus situation in Hawaii has fluctuated frequently since the state reopened to tourists and, at least more recently, things have been more down than up.

Hawaii is extending some of its COVID-19 restrictions for another 60 days in light of the delta variant. Gov. David Ige on Oct. 1 said he would extend a mandate requiring masks to be worn indoors. Caps on indoor and outdoor dining would also continue.

If you have travel planned to Hawaii, you should also know the state extended the “Safe Travels” pretravel testing program. The program requires all non-vaccinated visitors to show a negative COVID-19 test taken 72 hours before departure to Hawaii. Travelers who aren’t fully vaccinated and don’t show a negative COVID-19 test are required to quarantine for 10 days.

“Today, the number of cases has been trending lower, and the number of patients in our hospitals has continued to fall,” Ige said, according to the Honolulu Star-Advertiser. “However, COVID continues to cause high rates of infection throughout our state.”

Ige is referring to a surge the state saw in positive cases of the coronavirus this summer. The state reached a peak on Sept. 2 with more than 900 positive cases that day, according to data from The New York Times. Hospitalizations and deaths also peaked in early September, but all three figures have significantly dropped recently. For instance, positive cases of COVID-19 are down 45% from two weeks prior.

Hawaii had hoped to reopen and end the Safe Travels program entirely once 70% of the population had been fully vaccinated. Currently, 68% of residents are fully vaccinated (71% have received at least one dose). But even though things appear to be on an upswing, the state still isn’t exactly keen on having visitors right now.

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Ige famously begged tourists to avoid travel to Hawaii in August, saying, “It is a risky time to be traveling right now. It is not a good time to travel to the islands.”

But tourists are not generally the cause of the COVID-19 community spread right now, and Ige confirmed in August that most cases were from unvaccinated locals. According to Safe Travels data, just over 1,000 of the 542,000 visitors to Hawaii were required to quarantine upon arrival between Sept. 3 and Oct. 3.

Editorial disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airline or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.

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Why We Chose It

There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)

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  • 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
  • Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
  • Solid welcome bonus

Cons

  • Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
  • Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
  • You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
  • Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
  • Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
  • Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
  • Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
  • Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
  • $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
  • $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
  • $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
  • $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
  • Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
  • No Foreign Transaction Fees.
  • Annual Fee is $325.
  • Terms Apply.