When you visit Hawaii, the Aloha State, it is important to know about the health restrictions and guidelines that are in effect. These include the COVID-19 health system, the Omicron variant, and local health restrictions on various islands.
Pre-travel testing waives quarantine
Hawaii has introduced a new pre-travel testing program to allow visitors to come to the state without undergoing a 14-day quarantine. It is a new way to boost the tourism economy while still ensuring the health and safety of residents.
The new program is set to end in January 2022. According to the Hawaii Department of Health, this will allow travelers to come to Hawaii without undergoing a mandatory quarantine.
Currently, all visitors entering the State of Hawaii are required to undergo a ten-day quarantine. This is due to the high number of COVID-19 cases that have hit the state. However, this requirement is being challenged by county mayors.
A major business group wrote a letter to the Biden Administration asking for a change. They argued the policy was causing more harm than good.
In response, Governor David Ige announced changes to the state’s pre-arrival testing. While the requirement is still there, the governor hopes the new policy will help boost travel interest and improve the state’s tourism revenue.
Hawaii’s pre-travel testing has also been criticized by county mayors, who want to add an additional layer of screening to the system. Currently, Maui and Kauai counties have decided to allow visitors to bypass the test.
To avoid the ten-day quarantine, unvaccinated tourists must get a negative pre-travel test. The results will then be uploaded to the Safe Travels portal.
Despite the changes, the State Department of Agriculture still distributes a paper form to travelers. Those who want to waive the requirement can do so by providing proof of a positive pre-travel test.
The State of Hawaii has partnered with several airlines to implement the new program. For travelers flying to the state from other countries, the requirements are a bit more stringent.
COVID-19-specific local restrictions for O’ahu
When Hawaii was struck by the COVID-19 virus in early 2020, strict local restrictions were put in place. These regulations were intended to prevent the virus from spreading from person to person and to protect people who were already infected. The state also implemented protocols to limit the transmission of the virus during travel.
In order to travel to Hawaii, international travelers must show proof of vaccinations. This includes the Johnson & Johnson Covid-19 vaccine. Domestic travelers will not need to prove they are vaccinated. However, they must meet U.S. entry requirements.
If travelers are not vaccinated, they must wear a face mask during public gatherings. There are also specific rules that govern businesses. Businesses that are required to abide by the restrictions include restaurants, golf courses, flower shops, and car dealerships.
A self-quarantine period of 14 days is still required for all visitors. People who have been diagnosed with COVID-19 must remain in isolation for at least 5 days. Individuals who are infected may break the quarantine, but only if they have symptoms.
Face masks must be worn by all adults and children under five years of age. Children younger than five are not required to wear face coverings, but should avoid contact with others.
Adult sport programs can resume practice on April 19, 2021. The Governor has made it clear that non-essential travel will be discouraged in the spring and summer of 2021.
Businesses are permitted to reopen if they have followed a Safe Access Oahu program. This program requires businesses to follow a set of guidelines, including a negative COVID-19 test, a valid certificate, and proper social distancing measures.
A face covering is required in public, educational, and medical settings. Individuals must keep a six foot physical distance from one another.
Masks may still be required on buses, public schools, and airports
Masks may still be required on buses, public schools, and airports in Hawaii, but you’ll be happy to know the state is in the final stretch before it goes completely mask free. The federal government’s mandate to wear face coverings on public transportation is set to expire April 18, and the State Department of Transportation announced on Wednesday that its Department of Transportation Services will remind riders of this rule.
As with other states, the requirements for wearing a face covering on public transportation are not clear. Some state and local governments haven’t made a firm announcement on the matter, but other venues, such as private businesses, have.
While no state requires face coverings in public venues, the CDC has been urging people to consider using a mask in areas where they might be susceptible to infection. There are also some cities, such as Philadelphia and New York, that are not willing to relent.
Masks are still required on planes, buses, cruise ships, and some prisons. However, many businesses are making them optional, including ride sharing companies.
In fact, New York City has already lifted its school mandate, and the state of Oregon is close to lifting its statewide mask requirement. But what about the others?
Besides the federal mandate to wear a mask on public transportation, other rules and guidelines still apply. For example, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) has issued a guidance on the Zika virus, recommending that travelers keep their mouths and noses covered while in public settings.
Other notable measures include the CDC’s updated guidance on COVID-19. The CDC’s latest recommendation is based on recent data and trends related to the spread of this virus in the U.S. Specifically, the agency is assessing hospitalizations and ICU bed occupancy rates. This information can be incorporated into a revised framework that will be used by government agencies to determine mask requirements for public transportation.
COVID-19 health system is required by all visitors to the Aloha State
If you plan on visiting Hawaii, you must be vaccinated against COVID-19. If you are not vaccinated, you must wear a mask while indoors and if you are traveling by air, you must be able to prove that you are immune.
As part of the new rule, all visitors to Hawaii must use the state-approved digital COVID-19 health system. This system enables you to provide proof of vaccination and to receive a negative test result.
In addition to the digital health system, visitors to Hawaii are required to submit a paper form to the Hawaii State Department of Agriculture before arriving on the island. Visitors must also follow all quarantine regulations and quarantine costs.
Visitors who do not comply with the requirements of the mandatory five-day quarantine may be fined and may be jailed. Visitors who refuse the quarantine must leave the island immediately.
If you are a U.S. citizen, you are exempt from the pre-travel test requirement, but you must still complete the steps to verify that you are vaccinated. However, some foreign visitors to the United States will still need to take a COVID-19 test.
All travelers to Hawaii should prepare for a five-day quarantine and must be able to prove that they are immune. Even those who have been vaccinated against COVID-19 are advised to wear a mask while in public spaces.
As of October 2020, the digital COVID-19 health system will be required for all visitors to Hawaii. The digital health system will enable visitors to prove that they have been vaccinated and to avoid a mandatory quarantine.
When traveling to Hawaii, visit the state’s tourism page for details on travel restrictions and quarantine regulations.
Omicron variant
If you’re planning a trip to Hawaii this year, you may want to be prepared for the possibility of Hawaii travel restrictions for Omicron variant. Scientists are concerned about the new variant’s ability to spread. You may be able to prevent this disease from infecting you by getting a booster shot. However, you may also want to avoid the crowds and take precautions to protect yourself.
In Hawaii, the omicron variant is the most contagious. It’s believed to be more transmissible than the Delta variant. This is why scientists urge visitors to get vaccinated.
Fortunately, Hawaii’s vaccination rate is high. Over 75 percent of the population is fully vaccinated. Travelers coming from foreign countries must have proof of vaccinations. Currently, they must provide a negative test within 24 hours before they travel.
Previously, Hawaii was the only state in the US that had a quarantine requirement for unvaccinated travelers. The quarantine period was supposed to last five days, and was aligned with Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidance.
Until now, Hawaii travelers must fill out a questionnaire and provide a health test to pass the quarantine. In order to reduce processing time, the health questionnaire was given a QR code. Once you submit your information, you’ll receive the QR code by email.
Since the new CDC guidance encourages infected vacationers to stay on the island, you may not have to worry about the quarantine. But the number of new infections is still rising.
As of January, Hawaii has the highest levels of the pandemic. In fact, the first week of January saw an average of 2,500 cases a day. That number has decreased in recent weeks, but it’s still well above pre-pandemic levels.https://www.youtube.com/embed/p3UcPE_7DS0