WAILUKU — Maui County will soon require second coronavirus tests for trans-Pacific travelers flying directly to the island.
In addition to the current state-required pre-travel tests, people flying into Maui County from outside the state will be required to get negative coronavirus tests when arriving at Kahului Airport to avoid quarantine, Mayor Michael Victorino told reporters Wednesday.
People who refuse either test will be required to quarantine for 10 days on Maui. The pre-travel virus tests must occur at most 72 hours before passengers board their flights.
“This secondary test has been designed to determine if visitors and returning residents are contributing to the large rate of COVID-19 here in Maui,” Victorino said.
Victorino estimated that the program may take up to 10 business days to put in place.
A study conducted in November by Maui health officials found that two out of every 281 travelers who consented to second, follow-up coronavirus tests at the airport tested positive, the Maui News reported.
A county spokesperson could not be reached for comment Wednesday by the Maui News regarding how much the new testing program will cost the county.
