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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Mark M says
I have had first shot
Currently have COVID
Do I need anything else
David B says
2 or 3 more shots?
Just spit-balling here.
Pat C says
My wife and I are triple vaccinate, but also recently recovered from COVID. We are planning a trip to Maui for mid-February. Confirm we are good to go with our proof of vaccine only?
Pat C says
I should have included that I am a US citizen traveling from California.
Pat C says
I should add that we are US citizens and traveling from California.
Trisha says
Hi,
I am getting very conflicting information
Canadians travelling international direct to Maui
Triple vaccinated. One is covid recovered. i understand you cannot get exception from Quarantine in Maui with COVID recovered/clear to travel documentation if it is from outside of the USA as the certifications are not USA approved
Does anyone have experience with this?
Is it best to get a raid antigen the day before? Positive one month before travel so i assume would be negative but stressful!!!
Cynthia C says
Hi Trisha
Yes this was the same conflicting info I received too. Doesn’t make sense that our documentation needs to be US certified because that is impossible for a Canadian to do. So we like you will just use the paperwork to come home. And we have rapid tests booked for the day before departure. We did a rapid at home the other day and tested negative so just need to stay that way. Lol. Hope all goes smoothly for you. Thank you for sharing what you learned. This has been very helpful
Amie G says
This is our predicament. Two of the 5 of us travelling have received positive PCR tests in January but are fully recovered. One test was from a pharmacy and one was done by AHS. I think we are planning on getting them the 24 hour test and pray they are negative? I wish they were more clear on accepting from labs in Canada.
Sanbenn says
My husband and I are double-vaxxed, not eligible for a booster until after February 25 at the earliest. Our trip to Hawaii is February 21-28. We also tested positive for Covid at the end of December 2021. We’ve applied for the vaccination exemption; should we also apply for the “Covid recovery” exemption?
Karin K says
Hello, just wondering what happens if I test positive on my pcr test the day before I travel to Maui and have no symptoms. I am double vaccinated and have the booster. Is a 5 day quarantine sufficient or do I need to quarantine for 14 days, then have a letter from my doctor. Just want to be prepared.
David B says
Why would you take a test if you have no symptoms?
But, if you go out of your way to take one, and you hit possible, then don’t get on the airplane. Pretty sure when you check in for any flight these days, you are asked to agree with a statement to the effect that you don’t have COVID.
Sometime during all this BS, a couple who lives on Kauai got themselves arrested for boarding a United flight to Kauai from SF after getting positive tests.
Karin K says
We are Canadians crossing into the USA via land border, then boarding a flight to Maui; it is unclear if a pcr test is needed to get on the plane (seems it is not a requirement for US citizens to fly within the USA, but may be as our point of origin is Canada). We decided to get the pcr test to ensure we are not prohibited from boarding the flight to Maui. So many rules here in Canada, have been planning this trip for two years. Trying to cover every angle.
Beat of Hawaii says
Hi Karin.
You need to comply with Safe Travels. That should be it in terms of coming to Hawaii.
Aloha.
Liz says
Hi! I am double vaxxed (two doses) but do not want to get the booster. I know the requirements are changing to Must have booster to be fully vaccinated. I currently have COVID – can I use this as my exemption on top of having a negative test before I fly out one day? Will I be good to go? I fly out 2/19/2022 from US to Maui. THank you!
Beat of Hawaii says
Hi Liz.
It would seem you can use the Covid recovery exemption as an alternative as long as you comply with its requirements exactly.
Aloha.
Anne S says
What if you have the vaccine exemption already. But got COVID and recovered? Do you still have to file for the recovery exemption even if you have the vaccine exemption already?
Amanda L says
Hello! Quick question if anybody could help.
My partner and I both got Covid earlier this month and have a positive PCR test. We are both fully vaccinated and boosted. We will be travelling from Canada to Oahu at the beginning of February. Do we need to apply for this since we are fully vaccinated? Or does anyone know what the procedure would be?
Thank you in advance!
Beat of Hawaii says
Hi Amanda.
If you are arriving directly from Canada, then you need to follow CDC rules found here: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/travelers/international-travel/index.html. That requires a negative PCR test. We aren’t sure where your specific situation fits in. You could have issues if you’re being cleared by the US prior to Canadian departure and/or in Hawaii. You can check with the Atty General of Hawaii for their part, but we arent’ sure about the international part. Let us know how it goes.
Aloha.
Cynthia C. says
So me and my husband are in the same situation. Both Canadian. Tested positive earlier this month. Have recovered. Leaving for Maui on Feb 3. We are fully vaccinated and boosted. I clicked on the CDC link says you will need a positive test result from a viral test taken no more than 90 days before the flight from a foreign country and a letter from a licensed healthcare provider stating you are clear to travel. I have a call into Westjet to confirm this.
Amanda L says
Hi Cynthia!
Can you let me know what WestJet says? My fiancé and I both have a positive PCR test from when we had Covid and we just got a letter from our doctor clearing us for travel. Just not too sure if there’s anything else we’re missing.
Cynthia C says
Hi Amanda
The lady I spoke to from Westjet said we should be fine with our letter from our doctor and the positive PCR test result, but she could not say for sure. So what we’ve decided to do is get the rapid test done 24 hours before we leave, it should be negative at this point and bring all the paperwork and use it for coming home as we would still likely test positive on a PCR test. I am probably overthinking everything but I don’t want problems at the airport.
Kerry B says
Same here – can’t seem to get a clear answer.
We all got COVID over the Christmas break, now are 3ple vaxed, have the December PCR tests that show COVID positive, and now we have Doc notes clearing us to travel. -ve Rapid tests for last 3 wks.
Called Westjet was told to call US Border Services… Called US Customs and they said to work with the Airline… So, Antigen tests booked for 24 hours pre-flight… taking all docs and information for the flight home though.
Amanda L says
Great, thank you so much for updating! We will likely do the same thing and book rapid tests for 24 hours before our flight. I’m sure it would be fine with our test and doctors note, but don’t want to risk it!
Liz says
How did you go about getting a letter from doctor? We’re they ok with it?
Trisha says
Hi Cynthia,
We are travelling from Canada too and are covid recovered. We have been told that the dr letter and + result will not be good to bypass quarentine (but good enough to get onplane) we were advised to get a rapid test the day before and use paperwork to get home.
Amanda L says
Hi Trisha,
Who told you that the Covid test and dr. note wasn’t good enough? I spoke to a WestJet agent at the airport and they confirmed that the positive test and note is all we will need.
Thanks!
Trisha says
Hawaii will not accept any Positive results unless from a CLIA or CLIP certified lab, which is US certification and no labs have this exact certification in AB or MB (or anywhere in Canada unless military)
If you travel with a Pos results and letter, this is what AC said:
From Air Canada:
They would not be declined boar however they would not qualify for Hawaii’s quarantine relief program upon arrival and would be mandated to quarantine for 5 days.
Mike L says
Hello. I enjoy your regular updates and have used your site as an important resource for Hawaii travel. We were recently there and will be heading back soon.
I think your reply may have some incorrect information. If you follow the link you provided, it says you must have a negative test. Your statement said that it must be a negative PCR test. Due to the recent changes requiring a negative test within 24 hours of travel, receiving the results from a PCR test in that time frame would be tough
Mike L says
Also, the state of Hawaii Covid 19 portal states,
“What are the new CDC requirements?
NON-U.S. citizens traveling directly to Hawai‘i from an international destination must present BOTH a vaccination record AND a negative COVID-19 test result (NAAT or antigen) within one day of boarding a flight to the United States.”
I would happily supply the link if you would like. Thanks for all the great information
Beat of Hawaii says
Hi Mike.
Thanks for clarifying. We were responding to Amanda, who is already vaccinated, which is why we didn’t restate that obvious vaccination requirement for all arrivals to the US, whether to Hawaii or any other destination.
Aloha.
Mike L says
I was attempting (unsuccessfully) to highlight the fact that you don’t need a PCR test, a negative antigen test would suffice. At least currently
Amanda L says
Thanks for clarifying! I also thought it was just a negative antigen test now from Canada to USA (not PCR) along with proof of vaccination.
Beat of Hawaii says
Hi Amanda.
The CDC site says that for international arrivals to the US, “the test must be a SARS-CoV-2 viral test (nucleic acid amplification test [NAAT] or antigen test) with Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) OR the relevant national authority where the test is administered.”
Aloha.
A.R says
Hi amanda! wondering how your trip went?
thanks!
Michelle S says
Just trying to find the simplified answers for Canadians on a direct flight to Maui…..
Fully vaccinated AND a pre entry PCR test but no quarantine necessary
OR
Positive test with medical
Letter cleared for travel ….. ( we are still fully
Vaccinated)
All uploaded to Hawaii Safe travel form!
Molly O. says
Hello. I have filled out the form and uploaded the necessary paperwork but I cannot see how to submit it. It still says draft. Can you let me know in the answer to this? Thank you.
Beat of Hawaii says
Hi Molly.
Many others have done this, so hopefully one will give us a hand here.
Aloha.
BARBARA M says
MOLLY O… What “form” did you fill out? You need to fill out the trip information and then the correct Exemption Application. If you are vaccinated, you upload your vaccination card. If you have tested, you wouldn’t be uploading anything yet as the test has to be within 72 hours of your flight. The only time you ask for the exemption requiring doctor’s letter and proof of Covid positive is if you haven’t been vaccinated. So you are saying you’ve had Covid and are not vaccinated?
Michelle S says
Molly
I think at the top left of the exemption form there is a tab that says ‘submit’ next to. ‘Add traveller and add documents’
I’m still processing my documents but that what i saw 🙂
Eric says
same thing here.
Pham C says
Hi Molly! I, too, need to know the answer to this because I’m also on “draft”… I leave on Wednesday and have yet to receive an answer when I filled it out last Monday… 🙁
Jill R says
What if you received monoclonal antibody treatment…..can these be used instead of lab test for proof of covid recovery?
David B says
According to the blog post on which you are commenting, there is NO test required for proof of COVID recovery. You need a positive test as “proof” you had it, and a letter from MD as “proof” you no longer had it. The letter has to be dated at least ten days after the test, and 14 days before you arrive. The original positive test has to be within 90 days of your arrival. This is a very narrow exemption.
kim says
it says you can go 11 days after recovery, but a doctors note needs to be signed 14 days before?
BARBARA M says
This only applies if you haven’t been vaccinated. If you’re vaccinated, that’s all the “proof” you need.
Cynthia says
As long as they don’t add booster to the requirement. You may have the original shot(s) and no booster and now be positive. As usual it is dependent on what the state decides to do and when.
Cynthia says
The way I understand it is:
Positive test no older than 90 days or less than 11 days from departure.
The medical provider letter must be at least 10 days after your test collection date, but cannot be older than 14 days from departure. The logic is if you have an older test, they want a doctor to clear you closer to your trip to be sure you are OK.
Its a real brain teaser. Try working with the calendar based on your test date and departure date to map out the dates. It make make it clearer.
Leimomi says
Do i need to download adobe app to upload required documents?
BARBARA M says
LEIMOMI… Safe Travels is not an app therefore cannot be “downloaded”. You have to log into the website even if you do it from your phone.
Steve says
Hawaii changed their procedures yet again… shocker
In 2 yrs they’ve hardly been able to go 2 weeks without fumbling something up.
HEYWARD B says
Good Day STEVE
I believe you correct, sir.
It has been my observation, gleaned from my many days of government employment, that within most governments change very often masquerades as progress.
PaulC says
yeah and its my observation that many want to take our country way backwards.
PaulC says
Steve,
With all due respect you do realize that Hawaii unlike ANY other US state is a spec in the middle of the ocean? With very little access to outside hospitals should those hospitals become over run? Dont like it dont go.
steve says
Let us know when those darn hospitals get overrun. And not because of a nurse shortage.
Randy says
I’m confused. For several weeks you’ve been saying that there is no requirement for travelers to fill out the Safe Travels form, and yet it says that above. Please clarify. I’ve already received our QR codes for our trip to Kauai next week.
Beat of Hawaii says
Hi Randy.
We have never said you don’t need to comply with Safe Travels. There is no longer a health questionnaire which may be what you are referring to. Since you already have your QR code, then it appears to us that you are good to go.
Aloha.
Rosio M says
Hello,
I was exposed to covid on 01/8/2022 but I did not get tested for covid-19 until 01/13/2022. I’m supposed to fly out on 01/24/2022 do I have a chance of having the exception approved for recovering from covid-19 or should I reschedule my flight?
Thank you for your time,
R.M
Beat of Hawaii says
Hi Rosio.
It doesn’t appear that the exemption will apply to you. Thus changing your flight might be the safest route.
You can try, but it clearly states “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.”
Aloha.
Melanie O says
This is so confusing! It makes it sound like anyone going to Hawaii has to fill out the exemption form. When filling it out it asks why you want an exemption, where you’re quarantining and the address and if you traveled 14 days before your arrival? How would you fill the form out ahead of time if they want to know if you traveled 14 days before your arrival? If you have been vaccinated twice and also have received the booster do you still need to fill out this exemption form?
BARBARA M says
MELANIE… You’re filling out the wrong form! You need to fill out the Vaccination Exemption Form which basically just asks where/when you got each shot and then asks you to upload your vaccination card. The information above is just for those who haven’t been vaccinated but have had Covid and assume to have antibody protection.
Melanie O says
Thank you!!! After I filled out the info on the Safe Travels site I uploaded my info.
Nancy S says
Just anyone know if Kaiser Southern California is CLIF certified? My test is not note any certification from the lab that they use. Thank you in advance for any help you may be able to give me.
Chris R says
If it’s regarding a positive covid test…those don’t need to be from a Hawaii trusted safe travels partner.
David B says
True, but it still needs to be a molecular test to use this exemption (quoting from the blog post): “A molecular test (NAAT, PCR, or RNA). Antigen and antibody type tests are NOT acceptable for this exemption.”
Bottom line is that, without a positive molecular test, you never had it, and therefore never recovered from it, thus no quarantine exemption for you. Science!
BARBARA M says
NANCY… YOu only need to do this is you have NOT been vaccinated but have had Covid and are assumed to have post-illness antibodies.
Nancy S says
I am triple vaccinated and it will be more than 90 days since I tested positive. What I don’t know is whether they are using the first positive test you received or in my case I took more than one, the last positive test you took. Does anyone know the answer to this question.
David B says
If you are “vaccinated”, then apply for the vax exemption. Period. It does not matter when you had covid. All this is about is avoiding quarantine when arriving on Hawaii.
Ana S says
I filled out the vaccination exemption form and uploaded a pic of my vaccination card, but yet have not received the exemption. I am travelling this coming Sat and I am worried if I do not get the exemption. do you know of anybody who got the exemption declined when they inspected his vax card at the airport?
BARBARA M says
Please check but I don’t believe Safe Travels is required any longer so that may be why you aren’t getting communication back from that site.
Cynthia says
You filled this out on Safe Travels, correct? When you set up your Safe Travels account you enter your Trip and get an email with a QR Code, then you apply for exemption from quarantine / vaccine exemption. Provided you did both of these steps, you can log in again and click on Generate New QR Code Email.
Also, when I log in I click on the down arrow in Trips and see my QR Code.
Hope this helps.
lisa says
Hi if I am an Australian citizen (double vaxxed) travelling throughout the U.S can i enter Oahu or do i need a Pcr test? Thankyou
Beat of Hawaii says
Hi Lisa.
If you are arriving from within the US you need to comply with Hawaii Safe Travels rules to obtain the vaccination exemption. If directly from Australia, then you need to follow CDC rules found here instead: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/travelers/international-travel/index.html.
Aloha.
BARBARA M says
Totally confused! Keeps referring to having proof of positive Covid but no reference to having subsequent negative testing. Assume that Vaccine Exemption still applies – that this applies only to those who do not get vaccinated but are claiming exemption based on the antibodies they now have after have had The Rona?!?!?!
Beat of Hawaii says
Hi Barbara.
That’s correct. This has nothing to do with the vaccine exemption.
Aloha.
Kathy S says
So what is the requirement if you have not had COVID?
BARBARA M says
KATHY S… Answer to the Vaccine Exemption Questionnaire on Safe Travels (where/when did you get vaccinated, what type and upload your card) OR negative PCR test prior to flight (72 hours the last I looked).