United States Congressman Ed Case, who represents Hawaii’s First Congressional District (ie downtown Honolulu) today introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives his proposed “Air Travel Public Health Emergency Act” to ensure the health and safety of air passengers and the public by authorizing states to implement reasonable guidelines and restrictions on air travel during public health emergencies, including pre-board tests and related denial of boarding.

“Passenger air travel is, or can be, a major vector in the spread of highly communicable diseases such as COVID-19,” said Case.

This follows Case asking the Federal Aviation Administration to allow or require airlines to test passengers, or that passengers present a valid test, prior to flying to Hawaii.  The FAA said it does not have the authority to do that.