Governor David Ige joined the COVID-19 Care Conversation to provide updates on the state’s response to the coronavirus pandemic.

With the state legislature back in session today, Governor Ige said he is hoping for approval on borrowing funds from the federal government’s treasury loan program to temporarily fix the state’s budget crisis. The Governor also shared that he will be distributing $170 million in CARES Act funds to Maui, Hawaii, and Kauai counties. Honolulu County has already received direct CARES Act funding.

Inter-island travel may reopen in the next 2-6 weeks, but the 14-day mandatory quarantine for domestic and international travel will not be lifted anytime soon. The state is currently considering the best approach to safely welcome visitors again, including a revised screening process on arrival.

When asked about how the state is keeping current visitors accountable, Governor Ige mentioned that they are working on a way to capture a photograph of each incoming visitor. In addition, he has sent a letter to the Chief Justice to establish a standard penalty for any violators – a minimum $2,000 fine on the first offense. The Governor believes this will help visitors understand that this is a public health emergency.

Governor Ige said the safer-at-home mandate will most likely extend beyond May 31, but with relaxed restrictions. He did not share specifics, but said that it could include allowing medium risk businesses to reopen as well as gatherings of 10 or less.

Watch here and comment through our Facebook Page. Join us tomorrow when DLIR Director Scott Murakami will be our guest.

Join the COVID-19 Care Conversation, live every weekday at 10:30 a.m. Yunji de Nies and Ryan Kalei Tsuji will discuss the latest news, resources and community concerns about the coronavirus outbreak in Hawaii.

The COVID-19 Care Conversation, sponsored by Hawai’i Executive Collaborative and Hawaii Pacific Health, airs live every weekday at 10:30 a.m. on the Honolulu Star-Advertiser’s Facebook page. Yunji de Nies and Ryan Kalei Tsuji discuss the latest news, resources and community concerns about the coronavirus outbreak in Hawaii.