Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
Proof-Of-Vaccine Rules Set To Lift For Hawaii Travel
USA Today: Hawaii COVID Travel Requirements End: No More Test Or Proof Of Vaccine
Hawaii is lifting its strict COVID-19 entry requirements on March 26, Gov. David Ige announced Tuesday. Travelers will no longer need to show proof of a COVID-19 vaccine or a negative COVID-19 test to bypass a mandatory quarantine. The five-day quarantine, which has applied to those who don't show vaccine proof or a negative test, is going away, too. The state is keeping its indoor mask mandate, however. (Gilbertson, 3/1)
In related travel news —
The Wall Street Journal: Carnival And Norwegian Cruises Go Masks-Optional For Most
Major cruise lines including Carnival and Norwegian are loosening onboard mask rules starting Tuesday. Carnival Cruise Line recommends—but doesn’t require—masks on board starting March 1. The same policy goes for Norwegian Cruise Line ships departing from U.S. ports. Royal Caribbean Cruises relaxed its mask requirements for fully vaccinated guests in February. They are optional for fully vaccinated guests. (Pohle, 3/1)
And more on mandates —
The Boston Globe: Boston To Lift Mask Mandate For Some Indoor Spaces Saturday
In yet another sign of the city’s return to pre-pandemic life, the Boston Public Health Commission voted Tuesday to end the indoor mask mandate for businesses and other venues starting this weekend. The seven-member board cited a dramatic decline in rates of coronavirus infection and hospitalizations and increasing numbers of residents who are vaccinated and boosted. The unanimous vote came less than two weeks after Mayor Michelle Wu ended Boston’s proof-of-vaccination requirement for indoor dining, gyms, and entertainment venues. The face mask mandate ends on Saturday. (Fox and Gardizy, 3/1)
Los Angeles Times: L.A. County Likely To Drop Indoor Mask Order Friday
Los Angeles County will likely lift its universal indoor mask mandate Friday, a significant acceleration of the expected timeline following changes in federal face-covering guidance. While nothing is set in stone, the potential changes would align L.A. County’s mask rules with those unveiled Monday by the California Department of Public Health, meaning it would be strongly recommended — but not required — for both vaccinated and unvaccinated residents to wear masks in public indoor settings. (Money and Lin II, 3/1)
The Washington Post: D.C. Drops Outdoor Mask Mandate At Schools
The District will no longer require public school students and staff to wear masks while outside on school grounds, the school system’s chancellor informed families in a letter Tuesday. The new rule goes into effect immediately. (Stein, 3/1)
AP: Georgia Senate Seeks To Let Parents Nix Masks Through 2027
Georgia senators want parents to be able to opt their children out of school mask mandates for five years, under a bill passed Tuesday. Senators voted 32-19 for an amended version of Senate Bill 514, backed by Gov. Brian Kemp. The original measure would have only allowed parents to exclude their children from face covering rules for a year, but an amendment adopted by the Senate sets a deadline of June 30, 2027. (Amy, 3/1)
AP: NYC To Wind Down Most Coronavirus Contact Tracing
New York City’s coronavirus contact tracing program will end its universal tracing efforts toward the end of the next month, with officials citing a significant caseload drop, high vaccination rates and new treatments as the rationale. “Having these strong protections in place defines a new phase in the pandemic where we can learn to live with COVID,” said Dr. Ted Long, executive director of NYC Test & Trace Corps, in an email sent to workers on Monday. (3/2)
Also —
CIDRAP: Childcare Workers Left Out Of State COVID Vaccine Mandates For Teachers
Fewer than half of US states requiring COVID-19 vaccination or routine testing of schoolteachers included childcare professionals in their mandates, leaving some young children vulnerable to infection by unvaccinated caregivers, according to a study yesterday in JAMA Pediatrics. Yale University researchers reviewed official archives of COVID-related executive orders for all 50 states and Washington, DC, as well as state COVID-19 databases, as of Nov 1, 2021. (3/1)
