Desperate warnings from Hawaii as restrictions are added back
There are increasingly dire warnings coming from Hawaii as hospitals fill up amid a surge in COVID-19 cases. The governor of Hawaii is now begging tourists not to visit, saying, “It is a risky time to be traveling right now. It is not a good time to travel to the islands.”
The Associated Press reports Gov. David Ige isn't adding any formal restrictions on travel at the moment but is asking tourists to reconsider trips to the islands.
In fact, while the governor said a lockdown was not on the table right now, it could be considered if things continue to deteriorate. He says that Hawaii hospitals are at capacity and intensive care units are full.
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Tourists are not generally the cause of COVID-19 community spread right now. Earlier this month, the governor said most cases were from unvaccinated locals. The governor said at the same Aug. 13 news conference that only 1% to 2% of new COVID-19 cases are coming from tourists.
Still, the governor says that the rapidly worsening surge in cases, combined with known problems with traffic, a lack of workers and not enough capacity at restaurants, means it's a bad time for tourists to visit. There are shortages of everything from restaurant workers to rental cars to hotel rooms.
On Sunday, Aug. 22, according to the Honolulu Star-Advertiser, the state recorded its highest daily new case numbers since the pandemic began: 893 new cases or suspected cases. Monique Chyba is a mathematician who is doing forecasting of COVID-19 cases in Hawaii. She told the newspaper that her new models show the state could hit 3,700 daily cases by early October.
Related: I love Hawaii, but I'm not going back anytime soon
Honolulu Mayor Rick Blangiardi has added back restrictions on large groups and gatherings. He is asking the state to again shut down beaches and parks. He also issued an emergency health order again restricting restaurant and bar capacity to 50%. This is likely to make a shortage of restaurant availability even worse.
Related: Hawaii ends testing requirements
Gov. Ige, in the Monday news conference, admitted that "Our call to reduce travel to the islands to only essential businesses will have an impact on the numbers who come here, but I would also like to point out that our hospitals are at capacity, our ICUs are full ... I do know that that's a risk, but I believe as a community that's a risk we have to take to discourage travel to the islands until we can get to a better place with our health care facilities."
Related: What it’s like traveling to Hawaii fully vaccinated
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Build your loyalty to Delta by applying for the carrier's mid-tier card option, the Delta SkyMiles Platinum card. The annual fee is quickly recouped by the card's travel perks, such as an application credit to Global Entry or TSA Precheck, annual companion certificate and so much more. Plus you can fast-track to elite status simply through card spend.Pros
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- Earn 90,000 bonus miles after you spend $4,000 in purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months.
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- Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases and purchases made directly with hotels.
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| 3X | Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases and purchases made directly with hotels. |
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| 1X | Earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases. |
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Why We Chose It
Build your loyalty to Delta by applying for the carrier's mid-tier card option, the Delta SkyMiles Platinum card. The annual fee is quickly recouped by the card's travel perks, such as an application credit to Global Entry or TSA Precheck, annual companion certificate and so much more. Plus you can fast-track to elite status simply through card spend.Pros
- Earn bonus Medallion® Qualification Miles (MQMs) and an Medallion Qualifying Dollar (MQD) waiver when you hit specific spending thresholds with your card within a calendar year
- Receive a Domestic Main Cabin round-trip companion certificate each year
- Statement credit for TSA PreCheck/Global Entry fee (up to $100)
- First checked bag free
Cons
- Doesn't make sense if you don't fly Delta
- SkyMiles aren't the most valuable airline currency
- Earn 90,000 bonus miles after you spend $4,000 in purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months.
- Receive a Domestic Main Cabin round-trip companion certificate each year upon renewal of your Card. Payment of the government imposed taxes and fees of no more than $80 for roundtrip domestic flights (for itineraries with up to four flight segments) is required. Baggage charges and other restrictions apply. See terms and conditions for details.
- Enjoy your first checked bag free on Delta flights. Plus enjoy Main Cabin 1 Priority Boarding and settle into your seat sooner.
- New: Card Members get 15% off when using miles to book Award Travel on Delta flights through delta.com and the Fly Delta app. Discount not applicable to partner-operated flights or to taxes and fees.
- Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases and purchases made directly with hotels.
- Earn 2X Miles at restaurants worldwide including takeout and delivery in the U.S., and at U.S. supermarkets.
- Earn 1X Mile on all other eligible purchases.
- Enjoy a per-visit rate of $50 per person for Card Members and up to two guests to enter the Delta Sky Club when traveling on a Delta flight.
- Fee Credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck® after you apply through any Authorized Enrollment Provider. If approved for Global Entry, at no additional charge, you will receive access to TSA PreCheck.
- Earn up to 20,000 Medallion® Qualification Miles (MQMs) with Status Boost® per year. After you spend $25,000 in purchases on your Card in a calendar year, you can earn 10,000 MQMs up to two times per year, getting you closer to Medallion® Status. MQMs are used to determine Medallion® Status and are different than miles you earn toward flights.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- $250 Annual Fee.
- Terms Apply.
- See Rates & Fees