There is no getting around it, the Omicron Covid variant is here on Maui and spreading quickly!
Most businesses on Maui are short handed as employees are out on quarantine. The rules are still a little unclear… most of those testing positive are quarantining for the full 10 days, while others are only in quarantine for 5 days. Click COVID-19 Quarantine and Isolation | CDC to view the CDC’s most recent guidelines for Quarantining after a Positive Covid Test.
How is this effecting visitors to Maui? From what I see while driving around Maui, life is going on as normal. I will say that most shops and restaurants, and other businesses are short handed and looking for employees.
The good news is, according to Forbes, in October of 2021, Hawaii became the first State to be 90% Vaccinated. “Adults” ages 12+. Forbes called it a “new milestone for the Nation’s most heavily vaccinated State”. Hawaii Becomes First State In Which 90% Of Eligible Residents Are Vaccinated Against Covid (forbes.com)
The even better news? Here on Maui, both cases and the fatality percentage are going down. For up to date information click here for the Official Health.Hawaii.gov site. I wish all States had a Covid-19 Health website as informative and easy to use as this one is.
As we move into the winter months, Maui will see the return of the “Snow-Birds”. While Summer has become very busy with families in recent years (before Covid), our Winter Months have always been considered our “High Season”. Travelers looking to escape the cold Winter months on the Mainland (continental 48 States), love to visit Hawaii.
Most Maui Restaurants and Shops are open for business. I highly recommend making reservations for some of the more ‘high-end’ restaurants that you want to dine at. Some Maui Restaurants, like MonkeyPod in Wailea, have stopped taking reservations and can have lines over an hour and a half at times. Sadly, a few of our favorite restaurants have not opened back up after the shut down. Masks are still required when not sitting down at a restaurant and in all Stores. At this time, we are not required to wear a mask outside in the fresh air.
Travelers both new and returning, looking to visit Hawaii this 2022, are encouraged to learn about our Hawaii Travel Protocols Travel – Hawai‘i DOH: Info & Resources for Managing COVID-19 (hawaiicovid19.com) and pre-travel requirements.
Before arriving on Maui, call or text me if you need a ride from the Maui Airport (OGG) to your Hotel, Condo or Airbnb.
Aloha, Taxi Tina
808-298-1877
