FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Monday, March 8, 2021
Communications Office: 768-6928
City expands free COVID-19 testing to food service industry
HONOLULU – Today, the City and County of Honolulu through an agreement with the National Kidney Foundation of Hawai‘i Consortium has expanded free COVID-19 testing to O‘ahu restaurant workers and food service industry workers. Those eligible can take advantage of 15,000 test kits being made available at the City’s Mobile Lab at the Daniel K. Inouye International Airport and at the Hawaiian Monarch Hotel in Waikīkī.
The PCR mid-turbinate test, an industry “gold-standard”, will be processed and results provided to participants within six hours. To register, please go to kidney.hi.org. Testing is open to all O‘ahu restaurant workers and food service industry workers. Those who register will be required to bring a valid Government Issued ID and a recent two week pay stub (if not, employer must provide a recently dated letter requesting test) as proof to the testing site.
“Our restaurant industry has been really hammered, but was there for us throughout this pandemic, transitioning to delivery and curbside or contactless pickup,” said Honolulu Mayor Rick Blangiardi. “This is an easy way we can be there for them, by providing free, COVID-19 testing. With the detection of new COVID-19 variants here on O‘ahu, and until enough of our island is vaccinated, keeping everyone in the City and County of Honolulu safe is our top priority. Testing plays a big role in that effort. Continuing to prevent the spread of this virus is one of the best ways we can get more of this industry back to work and flourishing again.”
“The restaurant industry has been one of the industries hardest hit by this pandemic,” said Sherry Menor-McNamara, President and CEO of the Chamber of Commerce Hawaii. “This partnership between our local restaurant and food service industries, the City and County of Honolulu, and the National Kidney Foundation of Hawai‘i Consortium will provide another layer of protection from the spread of COVID-19. It’s so important to stop the spread of COVID-19 in our community before it gets of control, and testing is an important part of that equation. We want our economy to continue to recover and eventually thrive, and this partnership will help continue the local economy’s forward momentum.”
Testing Sites:
Daniel K. Inouye International Airport
Diamond Head Tour Group Area (just pass baggage claim 31)
Hours: 9 a.m. to 12:00 a.m.
Hawaiian Monarch Hotel
444 Niu Street, Upper Lobby
Honolulu, HI 96815
Hours: 9 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
For more information on this testing program, please call (833)560-0997 or email CovidResponse@kidneyhi.org.
As we continue to learn more about operating businesses during the COVID-19 pandemic, it’s important to share with you the most current direction and advice from the experts at FDA, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Environmental Protection Agency, and other agencies. These documents will continue to reflect those best practices and will continue to be updated.
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