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Beat of Hawaii

Hawaii Travel News, Tips, Culture, Events, And Deals.

New Rules For Hawaii Travel After Covid Recovery

January 14, 2022 by Beat of Hawaii 284 Comments

Updated Rules: Hawaii Travel After Covid Recovery

Last week the state updated its exemption for Hawaii travel after you recover from Covid. We’ve outlined all of the latest details below. As the Omicron variant sweeps across the US, many more people may choose this type of exemption.

We know you want to visit Hawaii, and while the rules associated with exemptions for testing or vaccination are well known, it may not be entirely clear what the rules are that will pertain to you if you have recovered. Here are some answers on what to do that are effective as of January 2022.

One of three exemptions is required to avoid quarantine. The state says that “travelers entering the State of Hawaii can apply for a limited exemption from the (reduced duration) mandatory 5-day self-quarantine. Under Governor Ige’s emergency proclamation, all travelers entering the State of Hawaiʻi must self-quarantine for 5 days, unless they obtain an exemption.”

All travelers (including those who have recovered from Covid) must also complete a Safe Travels form

Note that those traveling exclusively interisland are not subject to any quarantine or other Covid rules including these for recovery exemption.

You may complete the state’s recovery exemption form found here. It uses a Google AppSheet which requires that you use a Google, Apple, Microsoft, or other login.

Hawaii Travel After You Recover From COVID | The Rules

There remains an exemption for people who have tested positive for Covid 19 and are recovered. Those who receive an exemption under this category are not required to have additional pre-travel or post-travel testing or proof of vaccination.

To be considered for this exemption, you must comply with ALL of the following:

1. Upload a copy of your POSITIVE Covid 19 test result. This test must be:

  • A molecular test (NAAT, PCR, or RNA). Antigen and antibody type tests are NOT acceptable for this exemption. Applications without the correct testing will be terminated and there will be no response from the state.
  • The test must be processed by a Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendment (CLIA) certified lab OR Department of Defense Clinical Laboratory Improvement Program (CLIP) lab with the name and CLIA/CLIP number of the lab clearly printed on the result.
  • Hawaii Trusted Partner compliance is not required. Lab results for the recovered from Covid exemption do not need to be from a Trusted Partner laboratory. The results must only be from a CLIA or CLIP Certified laboratory.
  • The positive test must be dated no more than 90 days and no less than 11 days from your departure date for Hawaii. In other words, you must have recovered from Covid within the past 90 days for this exemption to apply to you.
  • In the event the laboratory name and CLIA/CLIP number are not listed directly on the lab result, you must obtain this information and include it in the “Details” section of the application.

2. Attach a signed letter from your medical provider:

  • The medical provider letter must be dated at least 10 days after the collection date of your positive result and no earlier than 14 days before your departure date for Hawaii.
  • It needs to be signed by your medical provider with your medical provider’s name and National Provider Identifier (NPI) clearly listed.
  • The letter must be clearly written to indicate you are currently symptom-free, or, your symptoms have resolved, or you are cleared to travel. Note: the state says that “Release from isolation letters do not satisfy the requirements” as stated herein.

3. Additional Rules:

A confirmed departure date for Hawaii is required. The state does not accept tentative departure dates. You must have a confirmed departure date because your exemption is based on the date of your test result and medical provider letter. Should your travel date change subsequent to receiving this exemption, you must reapply for another exemption.

Processing of exemption requests after Arrival in Hawaii IS possible. The state says that “we can process exemption requests submitted after your arrival in Hawaii if you provide the documents required for this exemption. We do not accept medical provider letters dated after your departure date for Hawaii.”

Returning residents’ instructions. Use your return travel date as your arrival date, leave the departure date blank, and choose the location you are traveling from as your state of origin.

Processing time of 48 to 72-hours is required. “Applications are usually processed within 48 to 72 hours, but processing times can vary depending on volume, completeness, and thoroughness of your application. Submitting multiple applications for the same travel date will also increase processing time and/or result in a denial of your request.”

Do not use Apple ID Private.relay.applied.com Private Email Addresses. The state says that “Applications with Apple ID private.relay.applied.com email addresses will not receive a response and will be closed. You must provide a valid email address with your application. When signing in with Apple ID, please select “Share My Email” when prompted.”

Summary.

The state says that subject to change, you are clear to travel to Hawaii without further testing or quarantine. That is so long as you comply with its rules, have recovered within the last 90 days, have a positive test result from when you had COVID, and have a doctor’s letter prior to travel.

These rules remain subject to further change. The recovery exemption application form is found here. It uses a Google AppSheet and requires that you use a Google, Apple, Microsoft, or other login.

If you have traveled to Hawaii with a COVID-19 recovery exemption, or plan to, how has this process worked for you?

Updated 1/14/22.

 

 

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Comments

  1. Richard C says

    January 14, 2022 at 6:28 pm

    News flash folks 1.35 million Americans tested positive for covid today.

    As I’ve been saying for 2 years no matter testing, junk vaccination stabs and masking everyone is going to contact covid.

    Everyone of us.

    BOH Bro’s can verify my prediction from my passed 2 thousand odd comments

    Omicron is the variant that’s making my prediction come true.

    2
    Reply
    • Paulc says

      January 15, 2022 at 6:55 am

      Right so just stop testing and it will go away right?

      Reply
      • HEYWARD B says

        January 15, 2022 at 10:06 am

        No, continue to test and it won’t go away.

        We certainly don’t want to waste billions of dollars of testing materials we paid for.

        Reply
  2. Jeanne F says

    January 14, 2022 at 4:52 pm

    Thank you for the information;particularly the clarification for returning residents. -lots of happy international travelers currently in Waikiki that don’t mind”jumping through the hoops”

    Reply
  3. Mary Kay S says

    January 14, 2022 at 1:45 pm

    This is all really silly, I have antibodies, confirmed with a blood test, from June. I was exposed over the holidays while in Hawaii, and didn’t get it, so my antibodies are even higher. Why is Hawaii putting a whole bunch of rules on this that make zero sense? Omicron is going to be great for Hawaii. By April, you will be in the clear and all this will be for nothing! Except for the new upcoming variant they will be making up… Get a grip, it’s a joke at this point.

    10
    Reply
    • Margaret F says

      January 14, 2022 at 6:00 pm

      It is not a joke for health care providers and hospital staff. Hawaii health officials are walking a tightrope trying to keep the Hawaiians health system from crashing and allowing tourists to support their economy. We are fortunate to be able to travel to Hawaii. Some of the arrogant comments criticizing their efforts to protect their state remind me of the “Ugly American” name, given to rude American tourists in Europe. Thank you for posting this exemption and the links to the application.

      5
      Reply
  4. MS says

    January 14, 2022 at 1:07 pm

    Ha, let’s have people overwhelm the doctors offices even more then they all ready are by requesting letters to go on vacation.

    2
    Reply
    • BARBARA M says

      January 16, 2022 at 8:49 am

      MS… Onl if you haven’t been vaccinated! Otherwise, it doesn’t matter – just fill out the Vaccination Exemption on Safe Travels. This only applies to unvaccinated but have had Covid (yielding post-Covid antibodies).

      Reply
  5. Jim R. says

    January 14, 2022 at 12:55 pm

    Unless you absolutely have to eat indoors on the two islands that are only allowing the vaccinated (who can spread it around to each other) to eat indoors at restaurants, it’s just far easier to take a test, and not deal with all the other ridiculous hoops you have to jump through.

    The stupidity in all this political posturing is that it could be as simple as having to test before you leave, or when you arrive for all travelers. 🤦‍♂️

    1
    Reply
  6. HEYWARD B says

    January 14, 2022 at 12:41 pm

    Let me see if I may untie this Hawaiian Covid Gordian Knot.

    In order to be admitted as a 90 day prior Covid survivor one must:

    1. upload a Positive Covid Test that itself has 5 sub-element requirements;

    2. attach a letter from an M.D. having 3 sub-element requirements;

    3. transmit a confirmed date of departure;

    4. submit a Safe Travels form.

    But admission is “subject to change”.

    It is sheer brilliance. Hawaii’s plan is to eradicate COVID by smothering it with paper.

    9
    Reply
    • BARBARA M says

      January 16, 2022 at 8:50 am

      HAYWARD…. Wrong!!! The rules you stated only apply if you are not vaccinated but have had Covid and are protected by post-COVID antibodies instead of vaccine protection!

      Reply
      • HEYWARD B says

        January 17, 2022 at 12:06 pm

        Sorry, let me try again if I may. My possibilities:

        I could have Covid but not be vaccinated;

        I could be vaccinated but not have Covid;

        I could be not vaccinated and not have Covid;

        I could have Covid and be vaccinated;

        With any of these possibilities I have antibodies;

        With any of these possibilities I do not have antibodies.

        Presumably each of these singularly or in combination present a different Hawaiian requirement.

        Got it. Thanks for clearing up for me.

        1
        Reply
  7. Jim H says

    January 14, 2022 at 12:32 pm

    This makes no sense The CDC pulled the PCR test.
    After December 31, 2021, CDC will withdraw the request to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) of the CDC 2019-Novel Coronavirus (2019-nCoV) Real-Time RT-PCR Diagnostic Panel,
    cdc.gov/csels/dls/locs/2021/07-21-2021-lab-alert-Changes_CDC_RT-PCR_SARS-CoV-2_Testing_1.html

    2
    Reply
  8. Jeff S says

    January 14, 2022 at 12:22 pm

    Is a booster required or is a two dose vac pass the test. We travelled to Kauai with clear pas can we do same for Oahu on June?

    Reply
    • BARBARA M says

      January 16, 2022 at 8:52 am

      JEFF S… Last I heard/read was that the universal definition of “vaccinated” was going to include having had the booster. But have never heard/read anything other than rumor.

      Reply
  9. Andy M says

    January 14, 2022 at 12:11 pm

    This just cracks me up. Why bother with all the rules and regulations. It’s already been proven that people are using false tests and vax cards to travel and now there are all these complicated processes for “exemptions”. Meanwhile there are tons of restrictions for all of us living here in Hawaii. It’s all about the money and not keeping people safe. If it wasn’t, they wouldn’t have let a cruise ship dock here and offload a bunch of passengers when they had positive covid cases aboard.

    8
    Reply
  10. Nancy S says

    January 14, 2022 at 12:07 pm

    Please explain the situation if you recovered more than 90 days before your trip. Example would be positive test on December 30, 2021 and ticket to Maui on April 14. You are recovered. What is needed if anything to avoid quarantine? Thank you very much.

    Reply
    • Beat of Hawaii says

      January 14, 2022 at 12:09 pm

      Hi Nancy.

      When outside the period for the recovered exemption, you must comply with either testing or vaccination according to Safe Travels.

      Aloha.

      1
      Reply
  11. Rob L. says

    January 14, 2022 at 11:15 am

    BOH, so what’s with all these comments from 2021, some six months old? This whole thing is clear as mud. I may be old, but I don’t think I’m suffering from any cognitive problems, unlike some of our nation’s leaders. So let me get this straight. If you had COVID more than 90 days ago, you can’t get the exemption. That’s really naive of Ige and his flunkies. My wife and I had COVID in November 2020, and last month got tested for antibodies. We still have them. But noooo, we are not exempt.

    9
    Reply
    • Beat of Hawaii says

      January 14, 2022 at 12:11 pm

      Hi Rob.

      As it says at the bottom of the post, it was revised today and was based on an earlier publication which was just updated.

      Correct, if more than 90 days, you must comply with one of the other two exemptions, either testing or vaccination.

      Aloha.

      Reply
    • HEYWARD B says

      January 14, 2022 at 1:29 pm

      Good Day ROB L.

      For us – SEP 2020.

      I am both old and fortunate enough to recall three generations of loving mothers as primary caregivers in my family. They each knew from firsthand experience what acquired immunity is and they respected its application in a world full of human maladies. No test, no 90 days, no Dr. letters. Just the wisdom of the centuries. We grew up just fine.

      After all this time I am saddened to learn they didn’t have the first idea what they were doing.

      3
      Reply
    • Mary Kay S says

      January 14, 2022 at 1:47 pm

      I so agree with you!! I have antibodies from June 2021!

      Reply
  12. Phyllis S. says

    January 14, 2022 at 10:57 am

    Does this apply if you never had covid and are fully vaccinated. If so do we just need letter from Dr. we don’t or never had had it ? Don’t quite understand as we have never had it , we are fully vacc. and flu shots

    Reply
    • Beat of Hawaii says

      January 14, 2022 at 12:15 pm

      Hi Phyllis.

      There are three exemptions: testing, vaccination or recovery.

      Aloha.

      Reply
      • Natalie R says

        January 16, 2022 at 6:15 pm

        My son tested positive today. I am getting myself & daughter tested tomorrow. If positiv I need to wait until 10 days prior to my trip at the end of March to go to the doctors and get a letter clearing us? I read they are going to require a booster. I am double vaccinated. I am not getting a booster when my body fought off Omnicron & the vaccine doesn’t protect against itNatal. Same with my 12 year old daughter. Or my 9 year old who only has one dose to date and is currently infected.

        1
        Reply
  13. Gerhard V says

    January 14, 2022 at 10:32 am

    Dynacare is CLIA certified. If you fly direct, no stopover in the US, your PCR test from Shoppers etc is good and will be accepted by AC or Westjet, who are trusted Partners. I am also told by Maui Gov. office that we, as Canadians can upload our vaccine certificates into safe travels website to be accepted. Best is to call and confirm with Dep. of Transportation.

    Reply
  14. David B says

    January 14, 2022 at 10:24 am

    Duly noted.

    Anything on the anticipated (by you guys) “two shots are not enough” rule change?

    Reply
    • Beat of Hawaii says

      January 14, 2022 at 12:17 pm

      Hi David.

      Should be rolling out momentarily.

      Aloha.

      1
      Reply
  15. Renee L says

    January 2, 2022 at 7:11 am

    Thank you for this easy to read synopsis! So much easier! To clarify though: daughter was Covid positive on 29 December after exposed on 26 December 2021. Asymptomatic. Her five day quarantine ends tomorrow, 03 January 2022. Ten day (mask required to be worn everywhere) masking done 08 January 2022. We want to travel to Oahu 09 January. Is this possible? Sounds from your guideline explanation we may need to wait to 14 days clear?

    We have all been vaccinated and boostered.

    Thank you.

    1
    Reply
    • Beat of Hawaii says

      January 3, 2022 at 8:52 am

      Hi Renee.

      For your situation, and due to fast-changing rules, we suggest you contact the state’s Safe Travels help desk just to be sure. They can be reached at 855-599-0888.

      Aloha.

      Reply
  16. Richard B says

    December 29, 2021 at 6:54 pm

    I had Covid and was planning to travel to Hawaii from Canada. I have been told the government labs in Canada are not CLIA certified. Therefore I cannot get an exemption. Is this true? if so it Will affect many Canadians.

    1
    Reply
    • Mike J says

      January 14, 2022 at 10:31 am

      Looks like there are. See

      ised-isde.canada.ca/site/mutual-recognition-agreements/en/canadian-testing-laboratories

      This is an official Canadian government website. Hope it helps. Double check to make sure they are really acceptable by Hawaii.

      Reply
    • Jeff says

      January 14, 2022 at 10:50 am

      Try to get tested in the USA and fly from the mainland to Hawaii, rather than from Canada. A bit more complex, yes, but at least you will get there.

      Reply
      • Gerhard says

        January 14, 2022 at 12:33 pm

        If you fly, let ua say from Vancouver to Hawaii, Canadians only need an Anti Gen Test to enter the US/Hawaii 24 hours before departure.

        Reply
        • Gerhard says

          January 14, 2022 at 12:46 pm

          it’s all here:
          travel.hawaii.gov/#/exceptions

          Reply
  17. BethS says

    November 23, 2021 at 1:12 pm

    Does this exemption work just like the vaccine exemption? That is, no quarantine and no problem getting into resorts/restaurants/etc? We have two kiddos that didn’t have time to get vaxxed before we leave but also have recovered from COVID so we are looking at our best option for exemption for them.

    2
    Reply
    • BethS says

      January 3, 2022 at 3:08 pm

      For anyone wondering. We did get the Recovered from COVID exemption for my sons when we went and we had no problems. It’s just like the vaccination exemption if you follow the steps to the letter.

      3
      Reply
      • Jerrica says

        January 7, 2022 at 5:53 pm

        Is there any requirement of the medical professional who writes the letter? Does any urgent care count? A lot of our trusted partners in Colorado who we would go to for the test aren’t actually “doctors offices” just testing sites.

        Reply
        • Donna R says

          January 8, 2022 at 2:00 am

          Aloha Jerrica
          When we filled out the Attny General recovered COVID application.. health professional who writes the letter documenting fully recovered and symptom free following a 10 day quarantine must have an NPI #. NPI # must be documented on the letter. FYI= We received “acceptance” within 10 mins of application submission on 12/25/21!! Attorney Generals office e-mailed us a code we downloaded into safe travels & got the necessary QR code!! Ever so grateful!! Good Luck!!

          2
          Reply
          • Andrea says

            March 3, 2022 at 6:39 am

            Hi – I’ve gone through the ATG exemption process for my children and have “verified” the code on the Safe Travels app. There was no forwarded QR code as a result for the children, however, only for me – and that is because I have a fully vaccinated exception. Under my trip details the children are still listed as not exempt, and there is nothing next to their name except a “-“. It would seem that the ATG exemption should be next to their name as the code was verified? I am panicking….

            Reply
            • Beth C. says

              March 3, 2022 at 8:40 am

              Following

              Reply
        • BethS says

          January 8, 2022 at 8:04 pm

          As another commenter pointed out, the doctor that writes the note needs an NPI#. It doesn’t matter if you got tested with them or not. We just asked our pediatrician to write the letters for our sons and neither of them tested at his doctor’s office. The doctor just has to write a note saying the person is recovered and cleared for travel. Depending on the doctor, you may have to go in for a visit to verify the recovery, but that’s up to the doctor’s office. I would call and ask.

          1
          Reply
  18. Dorie S says

    September 22, 2021 at 1:56 pm

    I don’t understand how to answer the question
    “Explain why you need an exemption (insufficient details of your work, employment or project, or explanation supporting your request may result in denial)

    2
    Reply
  19. Belinda M. says

    June 22, 2021 at 8:32 am

    Both my husband and I are recovered from covid we are supposed to travel Kaui July 19 is this still possible will the exmpetion be cleared in time for travel ? We dont want to pay for everything then be told we have to quarantine

    Reply
    • Josh S says

      January 14, 2022 at 10:22 am

      That will be more than 90 days from now so you would need to be vaccinated or quarantine.

      Reply
      • Nancy says

        January 14, 2022 at 2:05 pm

        I am triple vaccinated so I wouldn’t need to complete any requirements correct?

        Reply
    • Alfred H says

      January 14, 2022 at 11:01 am

      Not unless you contract COVID again and have recovered between the dates of April 7th – July 7th. Otherwise, I believe your vaccination including booster is sufficient. Good thing as well as quarantine time is 5-days instead of 10 now, if that is your only option.

      Reply
  20. Erin P says

    June 18, 2021 at 7:21 pm

    Hello,
    I am applying for an Covid 19 exemption as I have recovered from Covid and flying to Oahu. What is the stuff I’m reading about an Attorney General email? I am not sure I understand what the Attorney General has to do with my doctor’s note stating I have recovered…. Can you explain the mention of Attorney General? Also, I have positive results from Walgreens, a trusted partner for testing, it does not show clia as the type of lab but it is indeed a clia lab result. Do I need to prove that or will they know this information already?
    Thanks,
    Erin

    1
    Reply
    • Beat of Hawaii says

      June 19, 2021 at 4:25 pm

      Hi Erin.

      We’d suggest you contact the Hawaii Safe Travels help desk with your question. They can be reached at 855-599-0888.

      Aloha.

      Reply
      • donna R says

        December 23, 2021 at 12:08 pm

        FYI safe travels hawaii has nothing to do w/Attorney Generals exemption form… just called safe travels…
        Am stranded quarantining in LV, NV and can’t seem to find anyone to write that exemption letter.
        Good Luck

        Reply
        • Arlie K says

          January 14, 2022 at 3:37 pm

          People do not get to upset these rules change daily and sometimes more often, even if you had covid you can still test positive up to 90 days they are saying, mask up now back to N95 probably because they manufactured mass amounts to late in the game now they need to get rid of them same will be seen on home covid tests to late the worst has about peaked and now they are free to whomever may want them????? They say we will never reach herd immunity so what direction are we going to go tomorrow

          Reply
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