Aloha! Hawaii is finally open with no quarantines!
Starting March 26, 2020, everyone arriving in Hawaii was forced into a strict 14-day quarantine, in which people could only leave their home, condo, or hotel in the case of a medical emergency. Businesses and activities were either completely shut down or were severely limited for months. But now, any traveler with a negative coronavirus test taken within 72 hours of their arrival can skip the quarantine! Businesses are getting back to business, similar to what’s happening all over the country.
On the first day of the new program, over 10,000 people landed in Hawaii, over 2/3 of them visitors. 84% of those people cleared quarantine! Here’s what you need to know before you go.
What steps need to be taken before traveling to Hawaii?
In case you’re wondering about the Hawaii pre-travel procedures these days, I thought I’d walk you through them.
1. Fill out a mandatory digital form, in which you create a profile and enter your trip information.
2. Take a COVID-19 test from one of Hawaii’s Trusted Testing and Travel Partners, within 3 days (72 hours) prior to your trip. I can get you a link to view the partners. Hawaii only accepts test results from the partner list.
3. 24 hours before your departure, you need to log back into your account (see #1), answer a health questionnaire, and upload your negative test result. When you’ve completed everything, you’ll receive a QR code. This code indicates that you’re not in quarantine, and allows you to rent a car and check into your condo or hotel when you arrive in Hawaii.
** Update 12/3/20: Kauai is now requiring a 14-day quarantine once you arrive, for the foreseeable future. I'll update you as more info becomes available.
What about inter-island travel?
Inter-island travel to Oahu: is allowed.
Inter-island travel to Kauai: allowed, with a pre-travel test 72 hours prior to departure (see #2 above).
Inter-island travel to Maui: allowed, with a pre-travel test 72 hours prior to departure (see #2 above).
Inter-island travel to Hawaii Island (big island): as of Oct. 21, travel is allowed, with a pre-travel test 72 hours prior to departure (see #2 above).
What if you test positive at some point?
Anyone who tests positive on the first (antigen) test is required to take a PCR (polymerase chain reaction) test immediately, and quarantine at a hotel until you test negative. Maui, Kauai and Hawaii Island aren’t requiring a second test once you arrive, but they do provide discount cards for shops and restaurants as incentives for visitors who agree to take a voluntary (and free!) test 72 hours after arrival.
Are you as excited about this as I am? Now, in addition to Mexico and the Caribbean, we have another travel destination open to us! And for those who don’t have a passport or just prefer to stay in the U.S., Hawaii is a super great option.