CDC is considering this while airlines have a differing view.
98 thoughts on “Mandatory Testing of All Hawaii Travelers? Feds & Airlines Weigh In”
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Home » Blog » Hawaii Travel Tips » Mandatory Testing of All Hawaii Travelers? Feds & Airlines Weigh In
We could start with temperature checks. I know that’s far from perfect (many people with COVID don’t have fevers) but I flew to Orlando in December and other than submitting an online form saying I have no symptoms, no one checked anything else.
‘Start with temperature checks’? Are you serious? ‘Far from reliable’ doesn’t even begin to describe how useless and counterproductive that is. We paid a bunch of money for temperature scanning cameras at our main airports and most are either currently broken or ignored and not monitored. You were able to fly to Orlando without issue because, well……Florida. Thanks for playing tho….
I also agree that every traveler should have proof of a negative Covid test Before boarding a flight. It should be mandatory. A person should also be able to go to any testing facility to obtain a test. It is very difficult to find Hawaii approved test centers that can guarantee a 72 hour turn around. Kaiser can’t guarantee it.
Good morning. We are now approaching (again) our scheduled visit and since BOH has been a wealth of info I’m wondering if you could fill me in as to requirements and the Hawaiian agency that we will need to contact as of today 02/01/21. Thank you much
Hi Bob.
All of the current rules regarding travel are found here. https://beatofhawaii.com/ultimate-guide-to-hawaii-travel-during-covid/. Please have a look and let us know if you need any further clarification.
Aloha.
So sad. Eat healthy. Take your vitamins. Let your immune system do its job… and lets get on with life. Stop watching mainstream media and dig deeper people
Aloha
We are booked to Kauai in 2 weeks. The local Walgreens has 3 tests. Which one does Kauai accept?
They have PCR, Rapid Diagnostic, and Rapid Antigen Test.
Thank you for any info on this.
Hi James.
The antigen test is not accepted. You can also confirm with the state’s Safe Travels Hawai‘i Program Service Desk toll-free at 1-855-599-0888 between 10 a.m. and 10 p.m. Hawaii Standard Time.
Aloha.
James H.,
We used Walgreens and they were easy and fast to work with. The test we used was the one with the “Red” dot on the web page. The window opened about 3 1/2 days to make the reservation. I would play with your computer and get familiar with the process and the lead time. We got tested and 10:15 AM and had the results before noon and they uploaded fine. It made travel a bit faster, but did not negate the need for quarantine. We felt it safer to have the test and know we were unlikely to bring anything here to Kauai. We put our insurance information into the Walgreens sign up page and there was no charge. You will want to review the quarantine rules. Good Luck, Emerson K. From Kauai
But virus’ are not usually shed by simply sitting in your nose, it is shed when u become sick, and this may take more than 3 days. I personally wish that those who have taken the vaccine and wear a mask would be allowed to travel. Or just do the test at the airport for $50,or something reasonable. United’s $250 a test makes me never want to fly with them again. Hard to respect a company making loads of money off a pandemic by jacking up the price so much. However a test, a shot, n a mask,n u are good to go. They are worried the test will make flying cost prohitive, but have u seen how low the prices are in Europe for intercontinental travel? Why not here in the US? JUST LOWER THE PRICES OF FLIGHTS HERE then it won’t be an issue. And being on a plane is quit different than being in a grocery store obviously. So that’s not a good point. And the potential for getting COVID on a plane is extremely high. All though, I do know some people who have gotten it in a grocery store. IMHO.
I respectfully disagree. The airlines are not making a ton of money during the pandemic. In fact, they are losing a ton of money during the pandemic. The fee charged has somewhat of a convenience fee to it and I bet your chances are significantly higher you will get your results timely. With respect to catching Covid on a plane, where is your data? I would agree that a year ago, your statement may have been accurate. However, since then, the airlines have invested a lot of money in air filtration systems and extra cleaning between flights. In fact, CNN reported last fall your chances are 1 in 4300 you will get Covid flying without a mask and 1 in 7000 with a mask. Mahalo.
“And the potential for getting COVID on a plane is extremely high.”
You have any proof of this statement? Or is it just made up in your mind? I’ve not heard of ay outbreaks on US airlines, but I personally know an entire family that got it from their kid who works in a grocery store. I’ve flown several times since last March. Planes half empty, the cabin air is constantly circulated with outside air. I’m not one of the people who sits around fearing this virus, but if I was, airline cabin would be way down the “scary” list from grocery store. Tens of thousands of people fly everyday. If the potential for getting COVID on a plane was actually extremely high, it would be huge news.
Everyone traveling to Hawaii should be tested within 72 hours of travel. No test, no travel. Without it, asymptomatic person could get on the plane and infect passengers there, or after deplaning while standing next to others in line waiting to verify negative test results. If all on the plane were verified negative prior to travel, this chance of contamination and time spent after deplaning would be almost eliminated. All the resources on setting up, maintaining those checking stations, and hiring personnel to collect and store data at arrival in Hawaii could be used to expand pre-testing capabilities instead.
I have no issue getting a test before traveling if it would allow us the opportunity to not have to quarantine upon arrival. Restort bubbles are too expensive and put my family at risk because others there may not have been staying safe. There needs to be an expanded approved list of tes sites for this to occur.
Also with the vaccinations moving forward couldvthe vaccine passport work instead or or in addition to testing so we don’t have to quarantine.
What happens to those that have received the COVID 19 vaccines (1st and 2nd dose)? How are they treated?