DOH Revises Hawaii Exposure Quarantine Guidelines Based On CDC Recommendations | Maui now

The Hawaii Department of Health announced that effective today it is reducing the quarantine period required of those exposed to COVID-19 from 14 to 10 days to “improve compliance without dramatically increasing the risk of transmission in the community ”.

The updated quarantine guidelines are based on updated recommendations issued by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention earlier this week. The previous 14-day quarantine period was based on the virus’s full incubation period. The maximum incubation period for COVID-19 has been imposed to reduce the risk of transmission; however, the DOH claims that “the 14-day period has created physical and mental health problems as well as economic hardship for those who cannot return to work.”

“We are following CDC advice for a shorter quarantine to address mental and emotional health issues caused by isolation and to improve adherence,” said Dr. Elizabeth Char, director of the Hawaii Department of Health . “These updated guidelines balance the continued need to control the spread of the virus in our state while continuing to safely reopen our state and reducing the personal burden of quarantines on residents of Hawaii. However, it is important to stress that we will continue to closely monitor developments in science to find information that would warrant a reconsideration of these recommended options. “

The updated DOH guidelines for 10-day quarantines come with certain conditions:

• It does not apply to people residing in collective facilities such as long-term care facilities, group care homes, assisted living facilities, correctional facilities, shelters, residential rehabilitation and treatment facilities. or accommodation for military recruits;
• Those in quarantine may not have any clinical evidence of COVID-19 symptoms until the quarantine ends; and
• Daily self-monitoring for symptoms should continue until day 14; those who develop symptoms during this time should request tests and self-isolate while awaiting results

Close contacts of those exposed to COVID-19 should adhere to all recommended mitigation strategies:

• Correct and consistent use of the mask;
• Physical distancing;
• Hand and cough hygiene;
• Avoid crowds;
• Cleaning and disinfection of the environment; and
• Provide adequate interior ventilation.

The new quarantine guide does not change any travel quarantine set out in the governor’s proclamations related to the COVID-19 emergency.