Important news today on various fronts associated with Hawaii travel tests and the elimination of mandatory quarantine starting October 15. While we are still awaiting clarification from the state on multiple points associated with the Hawaii travel reopening, here’s the latest on Hawaii travel tests, and, some important questions.
Will you pay $250 for United Airlines’ Hawaii travel tests in 15 minutes?
Are you ready to pay substantially more for your test than for your flights? That’s just what United has in mind. If you thought that previous ancillary airline fees were bad, you haven’t seen anything yet.
United plans to begin a new rapid testing program in conjunction with Hawaii’s reopening on October 15. The Abbott ID NOW COVID-19 tests are to be administered by GoHealth Urgent Care and Dignity Health. The test is scheduled online, taken right before departure, and will offer results in 15 minutes. Tests are performed before entering the security checkpoint, and those testing positive won’t be allowed to fly.
United will fly daily between San Francisco and Honolulu, Lihue, Kona, and Maui.
“Our new COVID testing program is another way we are helping customers meet their destinations’ entry requirements, safely and conveniently…” — Toby Enqvist, UAL chief customer officer. United plans to expand the program later this year.
Alternative Color Genomics mail-in testing – $100.
As another option, United has partnered with Color for a mail-in COVID test taken at home within 72 hours of flight but ordered 10 days in advance. That is a self-administered test. United will advise customers by email to purchase that test 10 days in advance, then perform it at home within 72 hours and send it to Color. Color’s website says it normally returns results within 1 to 3 days although United says it should be sooner. That timing seems somewhat precarious to us.
Color said, “Convenient, widespread COVID-19 testing with fast and reliable results is critical to a return to normalcy and to accelerate the economic recovery… We are proud to partner with United to support the safe and responsible return of travelers to the skies.”
These tests employ a simpler process with fewer materials and equipment using a technique called LAMP (loop-mediated isothermal amplification). Color Genomics says its tests are as accurate as PCR tests, and it received an FDA emergency use authorization in May.
IATA calls for “free” government-sponsored COVID testing.
The International Air Transport Association (IATA) today proposed testing be provided at no cost to passengers at all departing airports world-wide. CEO Alexandre de Juniac said responsibility for the cost of tests should not be that of travelers or airlines but should be paid for by the government. De Juniac said governments “Need to protect their own population from the virus, we propose a safe process of testing 100% of passengers at departure airports, through a rapid testing process.”
IATA’s research indicates that travelers want testing to be incorporated as part of the travel process in much the same way that security is. They said 84% of those surveyed would like testing required for all travelers, and 88% said they are ready to take such tests. With testing costs highly variable from free to as much as today’s at $250 per person, IATA says these fees need to be permanently abolished.
The airlines, including United and industry trade groups, have been asking the government for a federal testing program, but that has not been forthcoming. Trade group US Travel Association representative Tori Emerson Barnes said, “We applaud the U.S. airlines for their efforts to move this issue forward, and we will continue to advocate for greater federal involvement in COVID-19 testing… We have long maintained that testing is the key to both safer travel and reopening the economy.”
What about the availability of COVID testing for Hawaii-bound kids?
Kids and Hawaii are a match made in heaven. But with COVID, will kids have to stay at home for now? We certainly hope not.
There are differing minimum age policies at testing sites that are said to be based on a range of possible concerns, including health insurance, medical privacy, and fears of uncomfortable children.
Governor Ige said this week that Hawaii’s testing partnerships with CVS and Kaiser do not offer tests to children under 12. Lt. Gov. Green said late last week that those would be available via mail-in testing. So far, we have not seen anything more about that, who it will be from, or how it will work. The Color Genomics website says “Color is not currently available for individuals under the age of 18.”
Hawai partner Vault Heath has performed children’s test for camps in particular. We did not find anything about their individual $150 tests for children. One of our commentators, however, Rae-Marie, just checked and here’s what she found. “I emailed VAULT…, asking them if they would test children. I received this reply from them, ‘yes we do test children/minors long as a parent/legal guardian is present during the zoom call they will also have to be able to produce enough saliva to fill the tube
test results take 48 – 72 hours to process results once the lab receives the test kit.’ I hope their lack of punctuation doesn’t indicate a lack of accuracy in their testing. The time element is also a concern considering the time it would take to get the saliva to them.”
More COVID dog testing also underway.
Today, Helsinki joined others in using dogs for testing passengers for COVID. The pilot follows testing at the veterinary school at the University of Helsinki. They found dogs could find the virus with nearly 100% accuracy. Furthermore, they identified the virus earlier than other lab-based tests could, according to the Finnish aviation authority. They said, “The difference is massive, as a dog only needs 10-100 molecules to identify the virus, whereas test equipment requires 18,000,000.”
Detection dogs do not interact with travelers. “Those taking the test will swipe their skin with a test wipe and drop it into a cup, which is then given to the dog. This also protects the dog’s handler from infections…The pilot program that will be kicked off on Tuesday is unique and a world first. No other airport has attempted to use canine scent detection on such a large scale against COVID-19.” — Ulla Lettijeff, Finavia Airport Director.
COVID dog testing is also being offered in Dubai. One difference between the programs is that the Helsinki program uses locally trained dogs, whereas Dubai uses dogs from other countries.
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Kathryn says
Is there a link to CVS’ website where this testing info is available?
Happy H. says
Yes, Hawaiian just announced they will have drive-through locations near LAX and SFO. $150 for same day. Was less for 36 hours.
Kaye W says
I work in healthcare and am tested weekly for Covid-19. If I wanted to travel to Hawaii, would they accept a recent test so that I did not have to pay $250 for a test that occurred the day before? Kaye W
Rob L. says
Maybe Hawaii will discover that Kauai’s feral chickens are excellent COVID diagnosticians, much like Helsinki’s dogs. Arriving passengers can be examined, one “cluck” for negative, two for positive.
Hirsch says
Testing and home yourself? Mmm. What if I know from an earlier test that I tested positive, so I simply have another person take the test for me? All about the be money. Furthermore, I read an article the other day listing the top 20 places to stay away from that increase your chances of getting the virus. Surprise, traveling by air was in the top 10. Hawaii is one of my favorite places to visit for many years, however, I’m not putting myself or my family at risk.
Kim R says
Aloha fellow travelers,
We are planning to travel to Maui Oct. 17 – 31. We contacted our family doctor, pre-scheduled STAT testing 3 days before our flight departure. We should have the results within 24 hours from test time. DO NOT let United or any other airline bully you into paying ridiculous fees for Covid testing. Most insurance plans will cover the test at no cost.
Mahalo
Kim R.
Beat of Hawaii says
Hi Kim.
This is all going to be quick changing from what we can see. Prices should be going down no matter where you obtain tests. Thanks.
Aloha.
Cecily C. says
Aloha! Regarding the Color mail-in COVID test taken at home within 72 hours of flight but ordered 10 days in advance, if it is a self-administered test, what’s to stop a passenger from testing someone else? That other person could produce a negative result while the real passenger may potentially be COVID-positive and be allowed to board the plane and infect others.
Victoria B says
Sadly we had to cancel our Hawaiian vacation on October 1st. We are just not sure when will be a good time to rebook. This is our second cancellation. I see that rapid testing will be available for flights departing San Francisco but what about Los Angeles? My other question is this…once everyone arrives in Hawaii with a negative result for covid19 what is being done to protect visitors from those, who are positive, already in Hawaii? Have those who work in the terminals also been tested for Covid?
Herman T. says
United’s fee of $250 for Covid test is outrageous.
PAM M says
Hi guys!
Maybe we should ask LtGov Green how to avoid contracting COVID-19.
(I literally choked on my own saliva when reading the lastest updates. Totally enough to fill a test tube)
Mahalo for your work 🌺
Beat of Hawaii says
Hi Pam.
Thanks for being one of our friends bringing some levity to the situation.
Aloha. R/J
Richard C says
Aloha Guys thanks for all the updates.
Now lets get to the issue at hand.
“250 COVID Airline Scam or Free + What About Kids?”
250: Paying $250.00 for a covid test is a choice. Resort folks who are dropping $1,000 a day for a cabana will have no problem with paying 250 for a covid test. Not condo folks who sit inline at Costco for an hour to pay .20 per gallon less for gas. I don’t see them stepping to the 250 plate.
Scam: a dishonest scheme; a fraud. The Abbott ID NOW COVID-19 test is legitimate, so you’re not being Scammed. If Elizabeth Holmes of Theranos is at SFO administrating the test in one of her black turtle neck sweaters then there’s a good chance you’re being scammed.
Free: There’s no such thing as “free” that word should be stricken from the English language.
What About Kids? Is it really a vacation if the kids come a long? What a great excuse for not taking them. “Sorry kids not this year Nana will take good care of you while we’re in Hawaii”. Second Honeymoon anyone.
See make lemonade out of sour lemons.
Beat of Hawaii says
Hi Richard.
Thanks for the lemonade and your dozens of comments. The new $250 ancillary fee seems pretty outrageous to us. Most BOH visitors are frankly not the $1,000 cabana types. They are much more frugal but still love Hawaii. As for free to consumers – that’s what IATA is proposing and they make an excellent point.
Aloha.
Richard C says
Aloha Guys
The issue as I see it is you’re framing United’s covid testing service as a negative where as I see it as a positive. It’s not mandatory it’s a another covid test option for travelers who are willing to pay for the convenience.
No different then paying extra for first class or baggage handling fee’s. Not everyone will take advantage of it, but it is available for those who want too.
That’s a good thing.
By the way I do know who BOH followers are.
Beat of Hawaii says
Hi Richard.
Thanks again. We expect the prices to be dropping very soon.
Aloha.
Roy H says
Aloha Guys
I too noticed United’s $250 dollar test. Currently the test is located at SFO International Terminal which is quite far from United’s location in terminal 3. That could make timing for connecting flights problematic. However, the International Terminal is where Hawaii Air is located. The mail in test is $80 dollars but,there could be some timing issues with that test. Hoping after the dust settles things could get more interesting.
Mahalo Guys
Beat of Hawaii says
Hi Roy.
Yes, we noted that it is in the international terminal for now. Since it for Hawaii flights, we assume rightly or wrongly that they will help accommodate those passengers.
Aloha.
Beth C. says
I just left a comment about the possibility of Hawaiian Airlines Offering a rapid test but I neglected to check off that I would like to receive comments.
Beth C. says
I wonder if Hawaiian Airlines will come up with a comparable rapid test. Also, are rapid tests going to be accepted?
Pam S says
Correct me if I’m wrong, but didn’t Lt. Gov. Green just say yesterday or the day before that rapid testing is not acceptable for travel on Oct. 15th but should be later? The Governor’s latest proclamation didn’t mention rapid testing. You guys must be pulling your hair out trying to keep up with all the information…er, misinformation. I know I am. Thanks for staying on top of all the craziness and keeping us informed. You guys rock!
Beat of Hawaii says
Hi Pam.
It sure seems like there will be rapid testing, but heck, it is in a state of flux for now. Thanks.
Aloha.