Hawaii tourists accused of trying to bribe airport screener with $3,000 to avoid quarantine

Visitors from Louisiana were arrested on Friday and immediately flown back to the mainland

Two tourists to Hawaii have been accused of attempting to bribe a Honolulu airport security screener so that they could avoid the state’s mandatory coronavirus quarantine.

The two visitors from Louisiana were arrested on Friday at Honolulu’s airport and subsequently charged, WAFB reported.

The individuals were identified as 29-year-old Johntrell White and 28-year-old Nadia Bailey by state officials, the broadcaster said.

The state Department of Public Safety and Attorney General’s Office told the outlet that the duo arrived in Hawaii without negative Covid-19 tests.

As per the state’s regulations, it would have therefore been necessary for the tourists to quarantine for 10 days to protect citizens against the novel coronavirus.

However, Mr White allegedly offered an airport screener $2,000 to pass through without having to quarantine and Ms Bailey allegedly said she would contribute an additional $1,000.

The airport screener is said to have alerted deputy sheriffs and the tourists were both arrested for bribery. They were reportedly booked, released, and immediately flown back to the mainland.

Nearly 27,000 people have tested positive for the novel coronavirus in Hawaii since the outbreak in the state began, leading to the deaths of 427 people, according to data from the government.

The state’s pre-travel testing programme enables travelers to avoid a mandatory 10-day quarantine if they are tested within 72 hours before their flight to Hawaii departs, the government's website says.

However, passengers must receive and have proof of their negative test results prior to the flight’s departure.

Those who are unable to provide proof of an approved negative test from a trusted testing and travel partner are obligated to quarantine for 10 days or the duration of their trip, whichever is shorter.