This comes as Hawaii just announced its highest number of new Covid cases; more than 2,200 cases today. Something is going to change.
We’re sure that many of you, like us, couldn’t help but wonder if some form of a new travel testing model that starts tomorrow won’t find its way to Hawaii, and soon. Hawaii officials have been stating that they want to change the way Hawaii travel Covid testing works.
Things will be changing when traveling to the US Commonwealth of Puerto Rico this week, as the island begins mandating Covid tests for all travelers effective tomorrow, including those vaccinated.
Does Hawaii travel need a new Covid testing model?
Hawaii is between a rock and a hard place. The state faces problems no matter which way it turns. To continue to allow vaccinated travelers to travel to Hawaii without testing clearly does nothing to prevent the spread of Omicron. And while still “apparently” small, the numbers associated with travel are rapidly escalating.
Problems with this new model could be challenging in the short term as it comes as the US faces yet another test shortage, with soaring demand and limited availability at stores, online, and test locations. For example, here on Kauai, one of the island’s largest test sites had to move its location to the Target parking lot when lines of cars blocked traffic at its Lihue location and police had to be summoned.
How the new Covid travel system works in Puerto Rico.
Starting tomorrow, all domestic passengers arriving in PR are required to provide negative coronavirus tests taken within 48 hours of arrival, regardless of vaccination status. That choice is somewhat of a middle-ground between 72-hour tests and the harder to obtain 24-hour tests. Previously, only passengers who were unvaccinated were required to provide proof of a negative test in Puerto Rico.
“As of December 27th, 2021, all passengers arriving on domestic flights are required to show a negative test result taken within 48 hours before arrival time, regardless of vaccination status. Passengers arriving without a test will have 48 hours to take one upon arrival or be subject to a fine. Unvaccinated travelers must quarantine for 7 days after arriving, regardless of whether they have a negative test result.”
Puerto Rico maintains its version of Hawaii’s Safe Travels where proof of vaccination, testing, and a health questionnaire are all uploaded before travel.
What kinds of tests will Puerto Rico accept?
At present, it is our understanding that the island is allowing PCR and antigen tests, but not at-home tests. Their website’s travel guidelines have not been completely updated in that regard, however.
“If arriving without a test, they must upload either a PCR molecular or antigen COVID-19 test taken on Island within 48 hours of arrival or receive a ($300) fine.”
Vaccinated travelers who choose to test on arrival do not need to quarantine while awaiting results, while those unvaccinated must quarantine for seven days.
On airport testing option.
Puerto Rico says that “for passengers who are not vaccinated… (the airport) offers PCR molecular COVID-19 tests on site. The service costs USD 110 and is offered from 6:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., seven days a week.” It looks like vaccinated passengers must find other testing options, at least for now.
What are other off-shore US islands doing?
American Samoa. At present, travel is restricted to essential purposes. “All travelers require advance permission from the Government of Samoa prior to travel.”
US Virgin Islands. All domestic visitors must provide a negative antigen or PCR test within 5 days of arrival, including those fully vaccinated.
US Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands. Effective December 27, all arrivals, including those fully vaccinated will receive Covid tests upon arrival. Travelers are to be quarantined while awaiting test results, and it isn’t clear what that duration of time might be.
Why 72-hour testing doesn’t work.
The amount of time between a test and actual travel is critical. The reason is obvious. While you may test negative that far in advance, you would become infected, especially with Omicron, in the time between then and your travel to Hawaii.
Hawaii has been relying on PCR tests only from its “trusted partner” tests, which typically take longer and can be more expensive, but are said to be more accurate than ubiquitous rapid antigen tests.
Testing after arrival in Hawaii too?
What about people who test negative even within 24-hours of a flight, but later test positive after arriving in Hawaii? Will Hawaii consider additional testing after arrival?
What about fully vaccinated Hawaii visitors and returning residents?
Hundreds of your comments have pointed out the need for everyone to be tested, without regard to vaccination status. Vaccines aren’t effective at limiting the spread of Omicron although they may remain very useful at reducing the severity of the disease. In addition, recent reports say that even those who have had Covid boosters may only have the ability to block transmission for up to 10 weeks.
Lots of good ideas about testing. I still have concerns about our personal experience of being 3 times vaccinated, catching the virus on the plane on our return home to Kauai, and not having symptoms show until day 5. A 24 hour test before flying wouldn’t have solved that problem. We are certain that we caught it from two very sick young children from the same family sitting next to us on the nearly 7 hour flight. Too young to be vaccinated and unmasked for the entire flight.
Hello I’m headed to Maui on the 3rd. CVS trusted testing partner is only doing PCR tests on the 30th and January 2nd. Hawaii is requiring 72hr pcr test results. I’m taking the pcr test on the 30th with CVS will I be able to get on the plane on the 3rd considering testing wasn’t available on the 31st and 1st due to store closures on those dates
Jose, It has to be less than 72hrs before your flight leaves the mainland. No exceptions
You’ll be able to get on the plane, but you won’t like what happens when you land in Hawaii.
JOSE… Welcome to the conundrum! You might try Walgreens. (Don’t know where you live.) Depending on what airport you are flying out of and what time of day you are flying, you might be able take advantage of testing at the airport but it is expensive. Also check for Rapid Results Testings which you could do on January 2. In our state, the state covers all types of COVID testing. If you tell us where you live and what airport you are flying out of, I’d be happy to help find something for you.
Aloha Folks,
I believe that the problem is stated in the first line of this blog, ie “more than 2200 cases today” A “case” is a condition that requires medical treatment or hospitalization, NOT just a “positive” test. The CDC said months ago PCR tests are not accurate. If you want to get the “cases” down, stop testing.
Mahalo
Most hotels require 48 to 72 hours notice to avoid fees for cancelation. That would be another impossibility with a 24 hour testing requirement. If Hawaii implements a 24 hour test, I think you will see massive cancelations and more devastating consequences to the travel industry.
But, there is a segment of Hawaiian society that would be fine with that.
They would only be okay with it because they would expect the mainland taxpayers to supplement them.
CDC says it can take as long as five to seven days to test positive if you’re vaccinated. What to do about that??? Sigh. Stupid Covid.
I’m vaxxed and boosted and now they are saying we may need another booster prior to my planned April trip, which I am more than happy to do. But if the state implements pre-testing within 24 hours of arrival it just seems like another deterrent to visiting. 72 hours was hard enough. 24?!?! A good way to discourage tourists if that’s the goal. Creating more stress with all the changes; bookings, cancellations, re-bookings..Everyone do their part to protect themselves and others and let’s end this
Are the hospitalized locals or tourists? Tourists are jumping through the hoops so the locals can go unvaccinated? Then tourists get blamed for the rise. Perhaps it would be better if locals would step up like the visitors are doing.
We fully support testing regardless of vax status. We pre-tested 3 days prior to our trip in Sept and will pre-test prior to our trip in Feb – we’re also fully vaxxed and boosted, so we’re not just talking the talk.
Safety first.
And more and better testing prevents what? The same as masks, lock downs, vaccines, no travel, 6 ft separation, closed economies, and prior testing.
Hawaii currently has Omicron. Testing will not stop it from spreading.
This appears another “do something” exercise from a government that knows it cannot contain the virus but is desperately trying to create the political illusion it can.
“You can cut all the flowers but you cannot keep Spring from coming.”
― Pablo Neruda
I don’t get “more testing” as a strategy, either. But, like everything else these days, half the people can’t get enough testing, and the other half have to be forced/bribed. I’ve only taken one COVID test this whole time, and that was to travel to Hawaii without quarantine. Since then, we have used the vax card. We’ve been keeping a couple of Vault tests handy in case Hawaii goes back to mandatory tests. They were “free” (courtesy of government) and don’t expire for a long time.
They should of been testing the vaxxed the whole time. That’s the whole problem they think they are immune
JUSTIN… Interesting that you refer to those vaccinated as “they” which leads me to believe you aren’t vaccinated. And I don’t know of a single vaccinated person who believes they are immune to Omicron. Would love to know your source!