Hawaii approves the potential use of 'resort bubbles' for quarantined travelers
Hotel stays in 2020 look a lot different than they did in years prior. Now, we’re starting to see resorts conduct contactless check-ins, scaled-back room service and mandatory quarantine in some countries in light of the coronavirus pandemic.
But now, Hawaii is taking it a step further, by signing off on “resort bubbles” that would allow guests at some hotels to leave their rooms -- if they agree to wear a GPS monitor.
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Kaua’i Mayor Derek S. K. Kawakami announced an “Enhanced Movement Quarantine,” or “Resort Bubble,” program approved by Gov. David Ige. The program would permit visitors to leave their rooms to experience amenities at their hotel or resort during the mandatory quarantine period.
Under the current quarantine guidelines in Hawaii, guests entering the Aloha State are not allowed to leave their hotel rooms for 14 days, even with a negative COVID-19 test. Under the new rule, guests would be allowed to visit restaurants or pools while wearing a mask and practicing social distancing. Guests would be required to wear an electronic monitoring bracelet that uses a technology called geofencing that would track their movement.
According to Hawaii’s Department of Health, the “Resort Bubble” concept is a voluntary program for resorts and visitors coming to the state and is not the “final solution.”
“We understand the need to address the economic hardship facing our tourism-based community, while also preserving the safety of our residents,” Mayor Kawakami said in a statement.
“The Resort Bubble program is an added tool to reopening our economy while we learn to co-exist with this virus. It’s not a replacement or the final solution, and we will continue to keep our community updated as we make progress,” he continued.
However, this announcement doesn't mean all the big resorts in Kauai are ready to reopen in a bubble. According to The Garden Island, Dan King, the General Manager of the popular Grand Hyatt Kauai Resort has indicated that -- at least for now -- the property does not plan to reopen until the 14-day quarantine is lifted.
Related: What are the state quarantines really like?
But if you think you’ll be able to stretch the rules within the resorts that may operate as bubbles, think again. Rule-breakers who break quarantine or tamper with the bracelet will immediately be flagged by hotel security and police will respond. According to Hawaii News Now, guests who break the rules face a $5,000 fine and up to a year in jail.
As we’ve reported for months, several states in the U.S. have imposed two-week quarantines on anyone arriving from hard-hit areas in the United States in an effort to stop the spread of coronavirus. These states initially included Alaska and Hawaii. Both geographically isolated states have announced plans for entry without quarantine for those with a negative COVID-19 test, but while Alaska has implemented that plan, Hawaii has had to delay its reopening plans multiple times due to rising coronavirus cases in the state.
Hawaii has pushed back its reopening date to at least Oct. 1 and has recorded over 10,000 cases of the novel coronavirus and 100 deaths, according to Johns Hopkins University.
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- 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.
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Rewards Rate
| 4X | 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. |
| 4X | 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. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
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You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.Annual Fee
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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)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 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.