One of the states most distant from Hawaii is demonstrating what Hawaii visitors should expect in a to-be-announced change. This could allow vaccinated visitors to come to Hawaii without further testing. Massachusetts says it will no longer require those who have been fully vaccinated to quarantine or provide negative test results before arriving, provided they have completed the vaccination process at least 14 days before travel.
In the same vein, Pfizer said today, in what they termed an “extremely important” result, their vaccine blocked 94% of asymptomatic infections in an Israeli study. This news is critical to Hawaii’s plans since Governor Ige has listed asymptomatic transmission as one of his chief concerns needing to be addressed before announcing Hawaii vaccination passport travel. JAMA reported that 59% of COVID transmission is associated with these people.
Israel’s Health Ministry Director said this “Gives us hope of regaining normal economic and social function in the not so distant future.”
Pfizer is evaluating the situation with the South African COVID variant, which they acknowledged is the most concerning.
Today’s news comes on the heels of CDC’s announcement last week that vaccinated people are free to gather together. They did not add travel guidance. We had been told was imminent and should still be forthcoming soon.
In Massachusetts’ highly relevant example, those completely vaccinated with either two doses of the Moderna or Pfizer vaccines or who have had a single dose of the Janssen (J&J) vaccine, at least 14 days prior, who do not have symptoms, will no longer need to obtain a negative test before traveling to, or quarantine upon arrival in the state. The announcement did not indicate whether they will be using a travel passport such as CLEAR or whether just paper documentation will be accepted.
We are awaiting word from Hawaii officials on today’s news.
Beat of Hawaii © photo at Three Sisters rock formation/Keomuku, Lanai.
Thanks for keeping us informed. Dianne M.
Yes! That would be terrific! Hope it happens soon.
Dear Susan I’m patiently waitin for the vaccine passport! Then I will be off to Oahu!♡♡
Thanks for all the updates. We just re-scheduled our Kauai for the 3rd time ( May this year),
Hopefully this will be the one.
What if you’ve already had COVID, which is better than a vaccine because it is more current. The vaccine was developed a year ago! Can you come to Hawaii if you’ve already had the VIRUS?
Yes, the State’s guidelines are listed. Sorry, don’t have the link handy but listed several places here on BOH
Dear Karen, I’m patiently waiting for the vaccine passport then I will be off to Oahu! !♡♡
Aloha, hope all is well…
Here, on the mainland, we’ve got a CDC report that says “Those inoculated can gather at home, or in large groups of vaccinated people, but should still refrain from any unnecessary air travel…”
Kinda sounds like a no travel order to us….
Mahalo.
As a frontline worker (hospital chaplain) I was completely vaccinated in January. This won’t help me or my traveling partner who just completed her vaccines for our October trip. I doubt we’ll be getting 2nd vaccines when so many need first ones yet. Of course October is a ways away so HOPE SPRINGS ETERNAL!
And to comment on Brad’s question about “natural immunity” from already having the virus…there’s no solid evidence you can’t get it again thus far, so no immunity.
There’s no proof that the vaccine prevents infection either. There have been several studies that show natural immunity from exposure is likely to last year’s, maybe decades. Immunity from a vaccine is not superior to natural immunity!
No proof. What are you talking about? There’s scientific evidence these vaccines prevent the virus in 95%: of the time, and prevent severe cases. Look at the CDC website and other information easily available on the internet.
Hopefully the state of Hawaii will figure this out soon. I know many will be coming over to Oahu from the mainland to attend the 80th Anniversary of the attack on Pearl Harbor.
I would hate to see our beloved Pearl Harbor Survivors attending have to jump thru hoops just to get to Hawaii….
What about people with natural immunity from actually having the virus?
Actually, it appears the CDC’s desired travel guidance was buried by the Biden administration:
politico.com/news/2021/03/08/cdc-guidelines-vaccinated-people-474355
Aloha.
Thanks for the update. I checked the MA website. Here is what the state requires:
Persons Who Have Been Completely Vaccinated for COVID-19: Individuals who have received two doses of either the Moderna or Pfizer COVID-19 vaccines OR who have received a single dose of the Janssen vaccine, more than 14 days ago and who do not have symptoms, do not need to obtain a negative test prior to traveling to, or quarantine upon arrival to, Massachusetts. COVID-19 vaccinated individuals arriving in Massachusetts must have documentation of their vaccination(s), including the date(s) of administration, available if asked.
So the CDC card you get when vaccinated is sufficient proof (at least for now).