Diamond Head near Honolulu, Oahu. Hawaii is discussing adding more COVID-19 restrictions due to the … [+]
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With the way things are trending in Hawaii in regards to the COVID-19 Delta variant, even the most optimistic observer would have a hard time staying upbeat about the weeks and months to come.
New restrictions on restaurant capacity and gatherings were announced just last week, and, unfortunately, unless there is a huge about-face, it looks all but inevitable that the Aloha State will enact more.
The ideas being discussed by state leaders, which include a “health pass,” beach closures, and perhaps even the return of pre-arrival testing, will impact both locals and travelers.
Here’s the latest COVID-19 news coming out of the islands:
The State is considering an “electronic health pass.”
According to Civil Beat, the government-run system would “verify vaccine cards issued locally, nationally and internationally,” and then issue an “electronic health pass.” In theory, people would then be required to present this pass in order to gain access to public spaces, gyms, and perhaps even public transit, restaurants, and other establishments.
A similar program was recently implemented by France, and discussions about a “vaccine passport” have been held in other U.S. cities as well.
Such a program in Hawaii would essentially eliminate any and all opportunities for unvaccinated individuals, though it could spark confidence amongst the vaccinated for things like dining out.
Beach closures could be coming.
The surge in cases on the Big Island has leaders mulling over the idea of beach closures to help stop the spread of the Delta variant.
Beach closures were implemented around the islands last year during the first stage of the pandemic. While they did keep people from gathering, they were wildly unpopular amongst locals, for obvious reasons.
Last time, the…