The state has announced that its mandatory interisland travel and health form, required for anyone traveling between the islands, is now online. But the airport screening procedure being designed around the on-line system appears to have at least one glitch.
The online system was announced in a press release this morning from the Hawaii COVID-19 Joint Information Center.
Using this system, travelers are asked to fill out the form within 24-hours of their flight. They will then receive a QR code which will be scanned during the screening process at the time of checking.
When I read through how this is going to work, I noted one problem. Here’s an excerpt from the press release, with the emphasis (in bold) added.
When passengers arrive at the airport they should check in to their flight and obtain a boarding pass (if they haven’t already done so) and drop off any checked luggage. Passengers will then proceed to a passenger verification and screening station located before Transportation Security Administration (TSA) checkpoints, where they will have their temperature taken to ensure it is below 100.4 degrees. Passengers without elevated temperatures will submit their QR code to an airport representative who will scan it with an iPad to verify the information….The passenger’s mobile phone will be called in front of them, to ensure it rings and the screener will verify the address provided on the form matches the passenger’s government issued identification.
Why is that a problem? Because there is no existing requirement that the “government issued identification” used to travel must display a person’s current address.
Although drivers are supposed to submit a notice when moving to a new address, there is no requirement that they apply for a new license displaying the updated address.
From the instructions on the Honolulu city website: “You may continue to use your existing driver license with the old address until it expires.
For example, we moved from Kaaawa to Kahala in 2015. Meda and I both submitted letters notifying the licensing office of our new address. The next year, I had cataract surgery, and no longer have to wear glasses, so I applied to a duplicate license that both omitted the restriction for glasses, and also updated my residence address.
Meda decided to just use her existing license until it expires. Both of our licenses are legal, but her’s will not match the address on the form.
We are a mobile society, and I’m guessing there will be more than a few people who could get tripped up at the airport if the description of the process is accurate. That’s going to be a rude surprise as you’re trying to catch a flight!
In response to an email inquiry, a spokesperson for the State of Hawaii COVID-19 Joint Information Center (JIC) said yesterday “this will be brought to the attention of the folks designing the system.”
“We will work on this,” the reply said.
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The press release also specifies that “The passenger’s mobile phone will be called in front of them, to ensure it rings….” That seems to assume everyone has a mobile phone. Most folks do, but should that really be a requirement for travel screening?
It is already the case that when you arrive at HNL they ask ask you for a phone number, which they then immediately call to verify. If you give them your landline, that obviously doesn’t work unless you live at the airport. I don’t know what happens if you don’t have a mobile number to give them.
It is nobody’s business where and when I want to travel. I am horrified by the potential abuses of our Constitution. I understand there could be some emergent need for information. But it all should be shredded once the need is met. The government has no business keeping a permanent record of my private life. ACLU, where are you?
QR code?? hahaha…how many people over 65 even know what that is??
Hawaii is not as digital savvy as most states. This will be a big problem once travel levels pick up. With social distancing the lines will be out to Nimitz Hwy…..
” Don’t worry, we are from the government. We are here to help…..”
A passport doesn’t have your address.