Rogue tourists arrested as Hawaii tries to curb virus spread

[Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin]

HONOLULU (AP) — Hawaii authorities are cracking down on rogue tourists who are visiting beaches, riding personal watercraft, shopping and generally flouting strict requirements that they quarantine for 14 days after arriving.

A newlywed California couple left their Waikiki hotel room repeatedly, despite being warned by hotel staff, and were arrested. Others have been arrested at a hotel pool, loading groceries into a vehicle outside a Costco and bringing take-out food back to a hotel room.

The rules, the strictest in any U.S. state, have helped keep infections relatively low. As of Wednesday, Hawaii reported 626 coronavirus cases and 17 deaths.

Yet the shutdown has devastated the islands' economy, which is hugely dependent on tourism. Since March 26, when Hawaii put the rules in place, about 5,000 visitors have arrived, compared to pre-pandemic times when about 30,000 came daily.

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/crime/rogue-tourists-arrested-as-hawaii-tries-to-curb-virus-spread/ar-BB13K7XH?li=BBnb7Kz

[mahina]

1. And the crowd went wild! Yes!

They came here knowing that they had a quarantine for 14 days on arrival and didn’t do it. I sympathize but some of these folks have been such scoffing scofflaws.

There have only been a few arrests but I’m glad they’re getting out there on the news on the continent.

It irks us when we’re all following the rules, so many laid off, 37% unemployment now, staying home, wearing masks, sacrificing even getting to be with our kupuna so we only do this once and these jackasses flaunt the rules, they no care.

Guess what?

[Hekate]

3. Applause from here in SoCal. Stay the course, be strong, save lives.

I think we're getting our first big test in our house: a niece's first birthday tomorrow, complete with family gathering and BBQ steaks. I'm not going. My husband is pretty conflicted about my decision. I'm sad and this sucks, but I'm not going. We are in our early 70s.

[mahina]

4. Oh best best luck.

The drive by parades of live around here have been super sweet.

I hope your ohana and you are all well and safe and happy. Aloha Hekate

[shanti]

2. They are

locals from my area. Either Ukrainian immigrants or first gen, a community with a high CV19 rate here.

[crickets]

5. Stay strong, Hawaii. It hurts but you are doing it right. K&R

[Efilroft Sul]

6. Sounds like the 23-19 alert from Monsters, Inc.

Good for Hawaii, though, for keeping on top of all this.