Emergency room physician and Lieutenant Governor Josh Green this afternoon had a one hour Facebook Live session to talk about Hawaii reopening plans and pre-travel testing, among other things.
The reason this is so important is that Green is the person responsible for Hawaii’s upcoming travel testing program. We said earlier today we would update you when he spoke, because of his significance, and following are some of the highlights. Green was at home and filming from his son’s bedroom, which was the reason for the stuffed toys in the background.
When do pre-travel tests need to be performed? Green said that tests need to be taken within 72 hours of departure, whereas the state website is in conflict, and says within 72 prior of arrival. That is a significant difference when travel can take six or more hours, and the point needs clarification.
Which tests will be accepted? He did not state by name all of the tests that would be permitted, but did specifically mention these will all be NAAT type. He also for the first time added the Abbott ID Now test to accepted tests. Mail-in tests will be part of the solution too, as he mentioned multiple times, but further details on those were not provided.
Who are Hawaii’s testing partners? Green mentioned that they are partnering with CVS, Walgreens, Kaiser Permanente and Vault, which offers a $150 saliva based check swab test. Hawaii’s Oceanit Labs may be added later if approved by the FDA.
Airlines may be doing tests. We had not heard about this before, but Green said that some of the airlines will be doing COVID tests at mainland airports. While he didn’t provide more information, he did confirm, as we have stated multiple times, that the state has no authority to require testing prior to travel.
What is the minimum age requiring testing? All persons will have to be tested at this time, Green said, without regard to age. But CVS, for example, only will test passengers 12 and older.
What if your test result isn’t obtained in time for travel? If the test does not come back prior to your arrival, Green reiterated that those visitors will be required to quarantine until results come in.
Quarantine hotels? Green also said he would like to see specific hotels set up for quarantining arrivals. No further details were offered.
Testing for interisland travel without quarantine. Green expects that to be approved within the next couple of weeks.
What about international arrivals. The Lieutenant Governor said that plans are in process for other countries including Canada, Japan, and Australia. He said Japan may even come slightly before the October 15 mainland reopening. That having been said, however, the state website says, “Currently, international travel restrictions prohibit European and other countries from traveling to the U.S.”
How did Green contract COVID? The Lieutenant Governor reiterated it was while he was driving in a car on the Big Island with two members of his team. We’d heard that they hadn’t worn masks for the entire time, but honestly can’t speak to that. Someone asked on Facebook why Green wasn’t wearing a mask on a radio interview the day that he tested positive.
Lastly, Green alluded to Hawaii picking him as governor in the future. He also said he doesn’t generally like politicians and his primary focus is that of being a doctor.
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According to Bloomberg news, United Airlines just announced they will do pre-flight testing at SFO for $250 per person. Results in 15 minutes. I would link it, but you don’t allow links ….
No mention if kids under 12 included. I did not se anything announced on United’s website.
Thank you for all your hard word putting together the plan for reopening. However, how do we get our under 12 grandchildren to Hawaii from the mainland? We are Maui residents and our children want to bring our grandchildren to the Islands for the holidays. How do the under 12 get tested? Also, will you still need a test during summer of 2021? If so, how will families ever be able to come to Hawaii if you have little ones.Please try to get some company be willing to test the under 12 year olds. Thank you for taking the time to read this.Dick A
Hi Dick.
Just addressed in the article we published. Hope to have more info soon.
ALoha.
Please post this. I was a resident of Kauai for 11 years. I am now in South Dakota. Our governors in Iowa and South Dakota are making big mistakes. The President has urged mandatory masks. The gov of IA is not taking the HINT. South Dakota’s Gov opened up Sturgis. No masks there for the bikers. Family and friends are getting COVID 19. People are dying. Make a very careful decision for Hawaii please. Don’t be in a big rush. Be Safe!
Donna J.
What a joke they’ve had since at least April to put things in place. This is going to be yet another disaster from a clueless state leadership. I don’t see any new answers here. .
On the state website they mention the pre travel test has to be from a CLIA certified lab. Now that they are accepting the Abbot ID Now test, which is a rapid test giving results in 15 minutes, does anyone know if it can be done at a local medical office rather than from a certified lab?
Why can’t people already here in quarantine take a test and be released from quarantine early if they test negative?
Aloha
How could they leave their quarantine space. They are not allowed to rent a car and I don’t want to be on Maui bus with them.
Maybe Uber , but puts our drivers at risk.
Maybe a service can come to them.
Some sort of health nurse.
Mahalo
“but puts our drivers at risk.”
Curious – are there any stats put out on percentage of people that were forced to quarantine over the last 6 months on Hawaii that turned out to actually have the virus?
I get it – everyone arriving is treated as being unclean “just in case” (or to quote Casino: “why take a chance?”) .
I read about these COVID “spikes” and “surges” on Oahu and Maui. Have these been traced to people in quarantine who took Uber or public bus before their sentence was served?
Good luck with getting tourists!!!
Wow… doesn’t sound like they have this together at all. Conflicting info on what test you need, how long before and places like Cvs, don’t seem to know theg have some agreement for tests. And your article is correct. HI government does Not have the authority to demand a pretravel test like this. Why dont they open up more for their own residents first?
Well, it has been feeling like that is Exactly the Point! This is the Big Push to figure out How Hawaii maintains, Without such a dependence on tourism. Thanx for your remark. I hope mines helps others to understand another point of view.
What date is Hawaii requiring covid testing prior to travel?
I am glad to hear that Hawaii will be open soon. I am Canadian, and I have a condo in Maui.Do to the quarantine policy I can not use this condo myself or rent to out state visitors. All Natasmall business are wiped out on Maui. It is going be very hard to rebuild pre-covid economy. The state should collect some fees in airports which will be
passed to the hospitals to buy any additional equipment to help with Covid patients.
Bought hawaiian airlines tix for wife and toddler. Cant find anyone who will do covid test for kids under 12y/o. Also cant guarantee results by departure date. Pediatrician said no resources allocated for travel. cvs said they’ve never heard of partnership and on website cant sign up bc no symptoms. Kaiser said must be member which we are not. Had to cancel tickets. In japan they administer pcr tests (saliva) upon arrival. (But they also must self quarantine for 14 days.) We should administer before departure at airport. Wasnt looking forward to having kid take covid test though. It’s extremely uncomfortable, painful.
Look into pixal/lab Corp at home tests. Usually get result within 48 hours from test drop off.
I just used the Pixel test 2 weeks ago and got results in 48 hours. Also the swab for the test was self administered and I only had to insert it partially up my nostril so it was not painful at all. I highly recommend the Pixel Lab Corps PCR tests.
According to Green’s comments, Vault Health is a partner (which is the first I’m reading this). They provide at home tests AND will test children. This might be your only option to get tests for children under 12 years old. While Pixel by LabCorp also has at home tests, they are available only for people who are 18 years are older.
I checked with CVS and Kaiser in California. Nobody seems to know about the rapid 72 hr pre-test. Couldn’t guarantee we’d get results so what’s up??
So, if you’re a resident of the Big Island and go visit family on Kauai, and you are required to get tested….do you have to get tested again to go home???
I have noticed that COVID hospitalizations in Hawaii are still increasing daily as of today. I wonder What criteria might cause the government to suspend or abandon the testing protocol? Thanks.
Hi Roy.
The governor declined to provide criteria when asked about that yesterday.
Aloha. .
Please explain why Hawaii residence still need to wait, “a couple of more weeks”, but travelers from Japan or Canada may actually have approvals before October 15 ? Why not use this time as a “test/trial period”, see how testing is working, make evaluations, and then consider opening trans-pacific travel ? Isn’t it easier,and less costly to start with Inter-Island travel ? Oahu residents are, in essence, the only Hawaii residents required to quarantine when traveling Inter-Island. Why not lift that first ? Or, us it there some truth to statements that all of the Mayors, with support and approval from the governor, are agreeing to keep the “Travel from Oahu quarantine” in place ? Mahalo
Hi David.
We keep hearing that the interisland quarantine will be lifted first, but can’t confirm that with certainty. Beyond that, we wouldn’t even try to make sense of some of the things that the state is proposing. Thanks.
Aloha.
Common sense why they approve the people with lots of money and investments in Hawaii. The Japanese… lots of money they have in Hawaii the Japanese. They won’t stop them .
Aloha! I looked at Hawaiian’s rates, and it looks like they’re going up… any advice? Mahalo for everything you do!
Hi Claudia.
Just wait a bit. Airfares sales should begin in the next week or two.
Aloha.
We’re flying from Chicago to Honolulu to Lihue On October 17 on a United Airlines itinerary. Will that last leg – Honolulu to Lihue be considered inter island travel?
I would like to fly from Minnesota to Oahu and I only have 2 weeks. Will I have to quarantine?
Oct 16 to 30.
no, was there in July and all airlines were routed through Honolulu. It only counts as inter island travel if your departure originates in Hawaii.
I too watched Dr Green’s FB post. Finally to have someone who understands what the necessity for covid are is tremendously helpful. The NAAT test is the header and other test fall under the NAAT test, the PCR is currently pretty much the only covid test widely available at this time. Looks like the first two weeks that Hawaii opens, will be a bit limited as to who will be able to travel, children will not be able to travel. It’s very helpful for someone like Dr Green to give us his time. Now that Hawaii has an actual date for opening, CVS and other pharmacies, labs should know what your asking for soon.
Mahalo Guys
Hi Roy.
Thanks again.
Aloha.
My husband’s test took 2 weeks for results. Also, 150. A test at vault? We’ve already paid $200. To change airline with cheap air. Also, activity’s may not be open?? I can’t get my money back, and, I can’t afford to sit in a hotel for 2 weeks if something goes wrong, like a late test, or, waiting on a test.
Sooooo if I read this correctly I going to have to get a $150.00 × 2 test to my Hawaii expenses. What happened to the $20.00 test???
thanks. please keep us informed. it appears that is all still half baked. is it 72 prior of arrival or departure? What airlines are looking at testing? That should be easy to answer and a big plus if they can test you at the airport and get a result rapidly. please keep us all advised.
Hi Mounque.
Yes, we are awaiting answers to the same questions.
Aloha.
Hey Guys do you think there is a big chance they will have done away with the inter-island quarantine by May?
Just hoping for your best guess. Thanks for all the great news in these crazy times.
Always love reading your updates
THANKS Again Donald
Hi Donald.
Thanks. Yes inter-island will, at the least, have testing as a means to avoid quarantine starting in the next few weeks. Beyond that, it is anyone’s guess.
Aloha.
If the state has no authority to require testing before travel, how can they require testing before travel? This seems ripe for a losing legal challenge.
Hi Guys. We have a trip planned for end of April next year. We plan to go to all the main islands starting in Oahu
I know you aren’t sure but what do you believe that the chances are they will have lifted the inter-Islands quarantine by then.
Thanks again for all your great work trying to keep up with the crazy leadership in your state. Really hoping to see you and Kauai
In May 2021.
Thanks and take care. Donald
Hi Donald.
We already answered this in response to one of your other comments. Let us know if anything else. Thanks.
Aloha.
Thank you
Thanks for the update. However, still confused as to my January 2020 travel plans for 3 weeks
Hi Ed.
Hang in there if you can for a few more weeks. Once we get through the days after October 15, things should become a lot more clear.
Aloha.
So this happened – The CDC made a statement today; “On Monday morning, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention edited its Web page describing how the novel coronavirus spreads, removing recently added language saying it was “possible” that it spreads via airborne transmission. It was the third major revision to CDC information or guidelines published since May. The agency had posted information on Friday stating the virus can transmit over a distance beyond six feet, suggesting that indoor ventilation is key to protecting against the virus.”
I imagine the release of these little tidbits will continue to pop up over the next few weeks or so.
We leave for Oahu on nov 24 therefore we are getting tested nov 21 and will hAve the results Monday. Does this meet the requirements? Excited to be coming. Lisa
I have a couple questions: if it ends up the test does have to be within 72 hours from arrival , and you have a connection , where are you processed ? at connecting airport or final destination ?…. for example, is it 72 hours from landing at HNL or after layover and flight to final destination at LIH ?
again if its from arrival, what happens if flight is significantly delayed and you miss the timeframe by an hour or two ?
Thank you for any insight you may have !
Hi Gail.
Good questions. We will look for the answers in the coming updates from the state, and report that.
Aloha.
Can we please all learn to use the correct prepositions?! Parts of speech determine the meaning of a statement. For example, you write that Green states, “that tests need to be taken 72 hours prior to departure”. Does this mean “within” 72 hours “of” departure to Hawaii? You also write that the State website (and the Star Advertiser, btw) says “72 prior to hours of arrival” (sic) — I think something got messed up here. 72 hours prior to arrival? Or “within” 72 hours “of” arrival? Totally clear as mud. Can you please ascertain what will be examined? The date/time stamp of the taking of the sample, or the date/time stamp that the test was run, or the date/time stamp on the report of the test result? Please ask Green and Ige to clarify. The people assigned to read these reports at the airport and determine what to do with an arriving passenger need to be on the same page. Thank you!
Hi Jennifer.
Thanks.
Aloha.
Richard C, a GIGANTIC thank you for making me laugh! You’re absolutely correct in suggesting that no one depend on the hippo or the dinosaur for advice. A little comic relief goes a long way these days.
More vague and contradictory information from the lieutenant governor from fantasy land. Why is it that information is always released in piece meal and no one really knows what they are really talking about? Why is it that no CVS or Walgreens knows anything about this and doesn’t even offer a test for travel but only after meeting specific CDC conditions including symptoms, and prior health problems or suspected contact with those infected by Covid-19? Why is it that no airlines know anything about this and no one is participating? I will wait to see this program in operation before i waste a minute planning my next trip.
Aloha and please clarify what you mean about Green ʻ”calling out” the Abbott ID Now test. Is that an endorsement meaning acceptable? Thank you.
Hi Sandra.
Thanks. Yes that is correct. If will be one of the approved tests.
Aloha.
Aloha Guys
So tell me if I got this right.
After an hour long Facebook live session from his son’s stuffed animal filled bedroom covid infected Lt. Governor Green still isn’t clear about what tests will be accepted who will by certified to give them and what time period before travel the test will be valid.
Did Lt Governor Green consult with the T-Rex or the stuffed Hippo before spending an hour basically making people even more confused about the October reopening.
Which ever one it was I’d quit taking their advice.
Hi Richard.
LOL! Thank you for that and all of your comments.
Aloha
Hi Richard! TOO Funny!.. that was the Brontosaurus giving Green direction via his tail into Green’s ear…Green didn’t have a good signal, thus the super confusing directives…I was hoping for clearer info, Oh well- there’s always the 2nd half of a year of shutdown for the State of Hawaii to figure this thing out.
Aloha Richard,
There’s probably a few people out there that think the stuffed T-Rex or hippo just might have a more coherent plan…
Mahalo BoH for the update!
Hi Jim.
You guys are adding some much-needed levity here. Thanks.
Aloha.
A whole lot of nothing said.
Green sounds a little off kilter.
People without clear plans should stay off the social media.
Get well Dr Green. Let us know something when you get something figured out.
Ugh. Polititians.
Oh boy. Getting excited that this may be reality and we can continue with our tgiving vacation plans. One catch though…stated that all ages need to be tested but cvs only tests age 12 and above. What was suggested for under 12? If anything. Good to hear 72 hours is from departure time and not arrival. Helps with flights from the east coast for sure.
Thank you for keeping us updated!
Hi Kyle.
He mentioned that the under 12 year olds child be handled through mail in tests. We’ll have to see what all that means.
Aloha.
Don’t want to pay that postage. Kids can weigh quit a bit
Nice words but NO absolutes about who actually is doing what and where? Also, NO mention as to what actually will be open across the islands including restaurants and beaches. And unless or until it comes out of little Iggy’s mouth what does it really mean?