Editor’s note: Coronavirus cases remain high across the globe. Health officials caution that travel increases your chances of getting and spreading the virus. Staying home is the best way to stem transmission. Below is information on what to know if you still plan to travel, last updated in its entirety on March 8.
If you’re planning to travel to Hawaii, here’s what you’ll need to know and expect if you want to visit during the Covid-19 pandemic.
The latest news
Hawaii will be dropping its statewide mask mandate for indoor settings at 11:59 p.m. March 25, Gov. David Ige announced during a briefing on March 8.
The mandate will come to an end on the same day Hawaii’s Safe Travels program is set to expire.
“Organizations and businesses can choose to implement restrictions that they feel would be appropriate,” Ige said.
Ige said that the state is recommending mask-wearing in certain indoor settings, such as health care facilities.
Starting March 26, visitors arriving from domestic points of origin will no longer have to show proof of vaccination or a pre-travel negative test result to bypass a mandatory five-day quarantine.
The Safe Travels program applies only to domestic arrivals. International arrivals must still follow federal requirements (see below).
The basics
Hawaii’s entry policy for international travelers aligns with the federal rules for air travelers that went effect on November 8, 2021, requiring international arrivals ages 18 and up to be fully vaccinated and have a negative Covid-19 test result.
Since December 6, all inbound international travelers 2 and older are required to test within one day of departure for the United States, regardless of vaccination status. This does not affect domestic travel.
It’s part of a general tightening of US travel rules because of the Omicron variant of the coronavirus.
Hawaii has ended its pre-travel testing and quarantine requirement for domestic travelers if they’ve been fully vaccinated for Covid-19 in the United States. After March 25, proof of vaccination or a negative test will no longer be required.
Gov. David Ige recently announced that booster shots won’t be required to be considered “fully vaccinated,” although they are still strongly encouraged.
Through March 25, US visitors who aren’t fully vaccinated still must provide a negative Covid-19 test result from one of the state’s Trusted Travel Partners taken within three days of their flight’s departure for Hawaii to enter the state and bypass a mandatory five-day quarantine.
You can get all the details on the revised isolation and quarantine policy here, and you can find out more at the Safe Travels Program.
What’s on offer
Spectacular surfing, sandy beaches, traditional Pacific culture and rugged volcanoes await Hawaii visitors. Hawaii’s geographical position and proud history make it unlike anywhere else in the United States.
Who can go
Fully vaccinated travelers are now allowed entry into the United States, including Hawaii.
As of November 8, unvaccinated travelers from abroad are no longer allowed, with very limited exceptions. Among those exceptions are unvaccinated children who are 17 and younger.
Americans are still allowed to travel to Hawaii, regardless of vaccination status.
What are the restrictions?
To enter the United States, being fully vaccinated is the key requirement for international travelers 18 and older, as well as a test taken before departing for Hawaii for all travelers 2 and older.
Through March 25, travelers from the United States and its territories who choose not to participate in the state’s Safe Travels program must quarantine for five days or the length of their stay, whichever is shorter.
Travelers from the United States and it territories who are fully vaccinated may enter Hawaii without pre-travel testing and quarantine. The vaccination record must be uploaded onto Safe Travels and printed out before departure. The traveler must have a hard copy in hand when arriving in Hawaii. These requirements are in place through March 25.
All restrictions on intercounty travel have been lifted, meaning no pre-travel testing or quarantining is needed for travel between the Hawaiian islands.
What’s the Covid situation?
With more than 237,500 cases and over 1,350 deaths reported as of March 8, Hawaii has seen relatively low Covid numbers compared with other US states. It has maintained some of the strictest travel measures of any state.
In January, Hawaii saw cases of Covid-19 soar to the highest levels of the pandemic with the spread of the Omicron variant. Those numbers have decreased dramatically since then.
What can visitors expect?
Statewide limits on social gatherings, restaurants, bars, gyms and other social establishments were lifted in December. All county-imposed restrictions have been lifted or are set to expire.
On the island of Oahu, the Safe Access O’ahu program, which required proof of vaccination or a negative test to enter businesses such as restaurants, bars and gyms, ended March 5.
Maui County updated its rules on February 21, lifting vaccination or testing requirements for indoor public spaces.
The statewide indoor mask mandate remains in effect through March 25.
Hawaii also has a statewide Malama Hawaii initiative that encourages visitors to give back to the destination.
Useful links
CDC requirements for international air travel
Covid-19 State of Hawaii portal
Hawaii Trusted Travel Partners
Hawaii Covid-19 Travel News and Headlines
Our recent coverage
Find out about the woman who gave birth to a baby while flying to Hawaii — she didn’t even know she was pregnant!
What’s it like traveling to Hawaii during the pandemic? Read about a recent experience here.
For vacation tips, have a look here. If you’re a closet beach hater, here are some ideas of what you can do. Or have a look at the cats of Lana’i, where 600 of them are living their best life.
The-CNN-Wire
™ & © 2022 Cable News Network, Inc., a WarnerMedia Company. All rights reserved.
