Couple Tests Positive for Covid-19, Board Fight to Hawaii, Get Arrested
Hawaii has seen a low number of Covid-19 cases and casualties, but the state has put in place some of the most strict travel bans and requirements over the last few months. Hawaii reopened back in October, but to avoid quarantine upon arrival you need to show proof of a negative test within the last 72 hours.
A couple traveling to Hawaii Sunday did get tested, but the results came back positive. They decided to still board a United Airlines flight from San Francisco to Kauai. Kauai is actually going to opt out of the testing requirement and just require a 14 day quarantine for everyone soon.
The man and woman, both 46, from Wailua, Hawaii, tested positive for the coronavirus while they were at the San Francisco International Airport. They were told by officials at the Quarantine Station not to board the flight and to isolate instead.
After the flight landed in Hawaii, the couple was arrested by the Kauai Police Department for reckless endangerment. A 4-year old child was also traveling with them. Police said the couple put their fellow passengers in “danger of death,” SFGate reports. Bail was set at $1,000 each while the child was released into the care of a family member.
“The health and safety of our employees and customers is our highest priority, which is why we have various policies and procedures as part of a multi-layered approach to create a safer travel environment,” United said. “While we don’t require proof of a negative COVID-19 test before travel, customers are required to complete a ‘Ready to Fly’ checklist acknowledging they have not been diagnosed with COVID-19 in the last 14 days.”
United Airlines released another statement today, saying that the couple who boarded a plane after testing positive for COVID-19 are no longer welcome on United flights.
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$1,000 is bail, not the fine. They are presumably facing much more. Bail is intended to ensure that a person doesn’t become a fugitive, not as a punitive measure to keep people in jail.
Thanks for clarifying it totally makes sense now and I learned something. I actually never fully understood bail but I now also see that bail is refundable. Basically a refundable deposit for your freedom until you attend trial. Now that I learned that bail bonds and bounty hunters all make sense 🙂 bail bond your basically paying someone interest for them to loan money for your bail & bounty hunter is the guy that find you if you decide to skip trial (fugitive) and let the courts keep your bail.
Wonder “since the covid will be going away soon” will United allow them to fly then…
Good for them that was a dumb move, although they should be charged way more then $1,000. On top of recklessness endangerment they should also he charged for falsifying documents as all airlines require you to check all of the ready to fly boxes which one question directly asks if you have tested positive for COVID within last 14 days.