Following discussions with Chaminade University and other institutions of higher learning in Hawaii, Governor David Ige has announced special modifications to the State’s 14-day quarantine for out-of-state college students registered for classes this fall.
The modifications, coupled with strong safety protocols, are meant to protect the broader community while recognizing the importance of student participation in their own learning―and in university activities at the beginning of term.
“At Chaminade, we have worked hard to institute a host of protocols aimed at protecting our campus and community from the spread of COVID-19,” said Dr. Lynn Babington, Chaminade president. “These quarantine modifications balance the needs of our incoming out-of-state students with the appropriate safety concerns of the Ige administration, and we are happy to offer them to our students this fall.”
Details of the modified quarantine for out-of-state students have just been finalized and include allowing out-of-state students who have tested negative for COVID-19 to adhere to a “bubble” quarantine within the university community―releasing them to participate in classes and safe university-sanctioned activities―rather than a strict lockdown. When students in the “bubble” quarantine program are not participating in university activities, they must remain in their places of residence.
No family members will be eligible for “bubble” quarantine modifications. This means that family members traveling with the student will need to adhere to the State’s mandatory 14-day quarantine.
This program, exclusively for university students in Hawaii, will work in parallel with the State’s mandates for face coverings and social distancing. It is also coupled with the university’s existing daily health screenings and evolving guidelines to protect our campus community.
There are three scenarios for the modified quarantine. Please understand this continues to be a dynamic situation, and parameters from State leadership are continually evolving. The university will continue to communicate the latest updates via email and on the COVID-19 section of the university website.
- Category A (STRONGLY RECOMMENDED): Student has obtained a negative result for pre-travel COVID-19 test taken with 72 hours of travel to Hawaii. All students in this category will be required to provide a written attestation to several health- and exposure-related questions. Students who return a positive test result must contact the university for additional assistance and full quarantine procedures. (The COVID-19 test must be a nucleic acid amplification test or NAAT test conducted at a CLIA-certified laboratory per the State of Hawaii’s mandate.)
- Category B: Student is awaiting COVID-19 test result (after arrival in Hawaii). Students in this category will report directly to their intended place of residence and enter the State’s 14-day mandatory quarantine. A negative result (during the 14-day quarantine) will allow students to break quarantine to attend university events with proof of University Modified Quarantine Approval. Students who return a positive result will be assisted by the university with full quarantine procedures and requested health-related support.
- Category C: Student does not have State-approved COVID-19 testing available in their area (outside the State of Hawaii). Please email [email protected] immediately for support and further assistance with possible testing options in your area.
STUDENTS: Please complete this form today to express your interest in qualifying for this modified quarantine program.
The announcement of the quarantine modifications for out-of-state students comes as Chaminade prepares to welcome undergraduate students to campus on August 24.
As part of safely reopening campus, the university’s COVID-19 task force has re-spaced learning areas and classrooms to ensure social distancing guidelines can be followed. Signage is also posted across campus to remind everyone of the importance of face coverings, maintaining a six-foot distance from others and regularly washing hands. In addition, the university is conducting regular health screenings and has installed contactless temperature stations throughout campus.
For the latest on Chaminade’s coronavirus response, go to chaminade.edu/coronavirus.
For questions concerning the modified quarantine program, please contact Stari Nakano, Assistant to the Dean of Students, at 808-735-4710 or [email protected].
