Hawaii Ends Safe Travels Program
Hawaii is ending its safe travels program after nearly two years. The program has been used by some travelers to save time. Passengers will no longer need to show proof of COVID vaccination or test results to avoid a five-day quarantine. The new system will save time, though, since passengers will no longer have to show proof of vaccinations.
Mandatory quarantine period for domestic travelers reduced
The mandatory quarantine period for domestic travelers in Hawaii is now being reduced. The period was previously 14 days, but it has now been reduced to five days. Travelers are only allowed to leave Hawaii for necessary activities, such as governmental and infrastructure functions and health and safety measures. This includes visiting stores and restaurants for food or to pick up supplies. The quarantine has helped Hawaii keep Coronavirus infection rates lower than most States.
The Hawaii Health Department announced changes to quarantine guidelines last Wednesday. These changes were designed to align Hawaii quarantine guidelines with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Among the changes, the quarantine period for travelers has been reduced from seven to five days for those who don’t have proof of full vaccination, including boosters. In addition, the quarantine period is counted from the day of arrival, so those who arrive today will be required to quarantine through Friday. They can then leave on Sunday. Travelers who have positive COVID-19 tests will still be required to quarantine for five days and wear a mask.
Exempt minors allowed to bypass quarantine
Travelers arriving on the Hawaiian islands will no longer be required to undergo quarantine or undergo testing if they are fully vaccinated. There are three main requirements to avoid quarantine: You must have a valid passport, be at least 18 years old, and be fully vaccinated against certain diseases. In most cases, travelers will be able to bypass quarantine if they meet these three requirements.
If you are traveling with a child, it is important to remember that the vaccination requirements are different than for adults. If your child is under the age of five, it is not necessary to undergo the 5-day quarantine period. However, if you are traveling to Hawaii from another country, Hawaii you must undergo the same vaccination requirements as an adult.
In order to stop the spread of Covid-19, Hawaii’s Safe Travels program was introduced. Until March 25th, domestic passengers arriving in Hawaii won’t have to provide a positive Covid test or proof of vaccination to bypass quarantine. However, international travelers 18 and older must meet a strict vaccination protocol to enter the US, including the Covid-19 test. Exempt minors can also bypass quarantine if they don’t have any medical conditions, such as chronic illnesses or autoimmune disease.
Vaccination requirements for international travelers
International travelers may want to know the Hawaii vaccination requirements before they travel. The state has recently relaxed its vaccination policies for visitors. Its recent decision to waive the requirement that travelers be negative for Covid-19 reflects that the Hawaii government has adopted policies that are more aligned with federal guidelines for air travel. However, travelers may still want to check with their doctor before flying.
Hawaii had previously said that it would end its mandatory vaccination requirements once 70 percent of the population was fully vaccinated. However, the omicron virus outbreak derailed that plan. The state vaccinated 76.5% of its population by the end of last year, but a recent spike in the virus killed that goal. In the meantime, officials are considering a mandatory booster vaccination for visitors.
Vaccination requirements for international travelers have been under fire for the past two years. Hawaii has largely been in crisis mode for the past two years. Thankfully, the state is moving toward an end to the mandatory five-day quarantine. But international travelers still need to be sure they have a negative COVID-19 test.