As we all know, Covid-19 (Novel Coronavirus) has put most, if not all of our travel plans on hold. If this pandemic has got you feeling desperate for a change of pace or scenery, you are not the only one!
Traveling is no longer a simple task of choosing your destination and finding an affordable ticket. With Covid-19, there seems to be more risk than reward at this point in time. The health risks that come with the virus for yourself, as well the chances of putting others at risk.
I am not here to tell you not to travel, rather give you some guidelines, restrictions, and tips if you plan to do so.
If you’re planning to travel to Hawaii, keep reading to find out what you need to know and expect when Traveling to Hawaii during Covid-19.
Travel Restrictions & Requirements
Currently, all in-bound visitors to any of the Hawaiian islands are subject to a 10-day quarantine restriction. However, there is now a pre-travel testing option that will allow travelers to bypass the quarantine restrictions. As long as the person(s) show proof of a negative Covid-19 test from a state approved testing partner. The negative test results are needed prior to departure. Approved testing partners can be found on the Hawaii Covid-19 website.
Travelers entering Hawaii from abroad will need to get a specific test called the, Nucleic Acid Amplification Test (NAAT) from one of Hawaii’s approved testing partners. This will be particularly important because some tests accepted under the new US testing requirement would not allow travelers to bypass Hawaii’s quarantine.
Since Hawaii is following the CDC Guidelines, travelers who have been in Brazil, China, the European Schengen Area, Iran, Ireland, South Africa and the United Kingdom in the past 14 days will be denied entry.
All travelers must also complete a Safe Travels Hawaii form and many will still need to undergo a health screening on arrival.Test results must be uploaded to the Safe Travels Hawaii site before your flight to the islands. Showing a negative test on arrival in Hawaii is no longer sufficient and you will incur the 10-day quarantine.
Several airlines, have started pre-clearance programs allowing passengers on many flights to show their test results before departure and bypass the airport document screening process in Hawaii. Some of these airlines include, Alaska Airlines, United Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines. Delta Airlines along with United Airlines now allow travelers to enroll and use CLEAR’s Health Pass to securely link their test results to their verified identity before traveling.
There is a mandatory contact tracing requirement for all travelers from both the mainland and interisland to Maui. All travelers to Maui have to download the AlohaSafe Alert app on their mobile phone. If you don’t, you’ll have to go into a mandatory 10-day quarantine.
Visitors who have been in the state of Hawaii for more than three days may visit Kauai without quarantining by completing a test more than three days after arriving in the state but within 72 hours before traveling to Kauai.
It is mandatory for all travelers older than the age of 18 to register with with Safe Travels Hawaii as soon as flights are booked. The form will generate a unique QR code which must be scanned on arrival. Negative tests need to be uploaded here, and a questionnaire must be completed 24 hours before travel.
Covid Situation in Hawaii
Covid-19 restrictions will vary by island, but the mandate that is statewide is of course, masks whenever out in public.
Oahu – There is currently a four-tier system, currently in Tier 3 (as of Feb.25). Social gatherings of no more than 10 are allowed. Restaurants, tours, museums, attractions, etc, can operate at 50% capacity. Bars and nightclubs are closed, and a max of five people per table in restaurants.
Maui, Molokai, and Lanai – Gatherings of up to five people is allowed, beaches and parks are open.
Hawaii Island (Big Island) – Gatherings of 10 people are allowed, indoor and outdoor, as long as masks and social distancing rules are followed. Beaches are open.
Kauai – Gatherings of 10 people allowed for indoors, 25 people for outdoors. Restaurants and bars are operating at 50% capacity.
More to see in Hawaii:
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