Two people who flew from Louisiana to Hawaii were arrested last week after allegedly trying to buy their way out of the state’s required Covid-19 precautionary measures.
One of the staff members showing incoming travelers at the Daniel K. Inouye International Airport in Honolulu alerted authorities after it happened Friday, according to the Hawaii Department of Public Safety and the State Attorney General’s Office.
Johntrell White, 29, allegedly told the screener he would offer her $ 2,000 if she allowed him to pass without the mandatory quarantine. Then Nadia Bailey, 28, allegedly added that she would deposit an extra $ 1,000 if the screener went through both without being quarantined.
None of the travelers had a valid pre-test or Covid-19 release, authorities said.
White and Bailey were arrested for bribery and sent back home, according to a release from the Hawaii government office, David Ige. Court records were not available to White or Bailey during the Hawaii justice system investigation.
Public records for White did not include a phone number and it is unclear if he retained a lawyer. Bailey did not immediately return a call from NBC News on Thursday.
Travelers arriving in Hawaii must provide evidence of a negative Covid-19 test taken within 72 hours of their arrival, according to the state’s Safe Travels Hawai’i certificate. They are also subject to a temperature check on arrival.
