COVID-19 Update

The upward trend in Hawaii COVID case counts which began in early March and was noted in the last e-Newscast has unfortunately continued, but has not so far hit the levels reached in the second half of 2020. Operations at Gemini North continue largely unchanged, with a reduced day crew on the mountain and night crew separated into two control rooms at the Hilo Base Facility. The Coquimbo region, including La Serena, have been in strict quarantine for several weeks now in order to reduce the increasing COVID case counts. Telescope operations continue, albeit with a much reduced day crew and the night observers working in separate rooms from the La Serena base facility.