This would apply to all passengers whether visitors or residents, fully vaccinated or not.
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168 thoughts on “Official: “Request To Reinstate Pre-Travel Testing””
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This would apply to all passengers whether visitors or residents, fully vaccinated or not.
Get Breaking Hawaii Travel News
Comments are closed.
The vaccine does not stop you from getting infected, transmitting, or dying from covid. The best it can do is to lessen your symptoms if you catch it. The surge was bound to happen … It only makes sense to mandate the 72 hr test for all visitors or returning residents, vaccinated or not to keep us all safe.
I agree. I have covid and have been vaccinated. I got that monoclonal antibody infusion and then my chest stopped hurting
Wrong. One has a statistically 0.2% chance of spreading if one is vaccinated. It’s those who are not vaccinated who are the spreaders. Virtually all those getting this now are unvaccinated. How long do we have to protect those who refuse to do the right thing?
I think for good optics, the Governor has little choice but to placate the “anti-tourism” constituents. Sadly, the virus/hospitalization rate is worse in Hawaii than in California. So it should be us Californians that demand a test for flying from the islands!
But the REALITY is that the resident, non-vaccinated travelers are not going to pay for the pre-test and they will never properly quarantine. So this is just lip service, and will do nothing to stop the spread.
Aloha. As hard as it might be, cancel your trips to Hawaii.
Let them sort out the melee they’re encountering. It’s going to hurt businesses there, but to achieve the longer term outcome we all desire, which is what we used to think of as normal-which may never happen, but that’s another post, we need to stay away and allow the residents to get this under control. Seems counterintuitive, having the residents needing tourists as much as they do, but it’s now about survival. If you’re dying, who cares if you’re spending dollars in paradise?
Dear Tom, that is exactly what I am doing. I’ve postponed my trip in April (2022) until 2023 because I don’t feel comfortable traveling when the cases are up again. Waiting is another way that I can be safe & help to keep others safe also. I’ve been waiting to go to Hawaii all my life, so what is alittle more time?!
Dear Tom, well said!!
As a Hawaii resident I can say that the spread isn’t the tourists or returning residents as much as it is the residents who are not vaccinated and gather in groups. Partying and no masks or social distancing. One gets Covid-19 and it travels like wildfire in their communities.
Aloha BOH! I do not see it mentioned, but is it implied that the pre-travel testing would not apply to interisland travel? Mahalo!
Hi Justin.
Your correct. Interisland was not mentioned in this request and could well be unaffected.
Aloha.
Mahalo!
And unaffected…..for now.
😉
How about the locals have to test before coming to mainland. Seems like that is where the spike is.
It is now those who refuse to get vaccinated that are prolonging this misery. The whole country should have been vaccinated by now and only half of us are. The reality is if everyone were vaccinated, the pandemic would be over. As is usually the case with humanity, we cause most of our own misery.
data to support that claim ??
Please
“The reality is if everyone were vaccinated, the pandemic would be over.”
this is absurd. turn off your television and actually read the science
look up provincetown, MA
37% of all covid deaths in MA last week were breakthrough cases
its proven that vaccinated people can catch and spread covid the same as any other.
a vaccine may reduce your chance of death and hospitalization slightly, but it is doing NOTHING to stop the spread. In fact many scientists have concluded that the vaccine itself is driving variants and Antibody Dependent Enhancement
You might not want to get you news from facebook:
factcheck.org/2021/08/scicheck-posts-misinterpret-cdcs-provincetown-covid-19-outbreak-report/
“The reality is if everyone were vaccinated, the pandemic would be over.”
Again, opinion not backed by any science at all. 🙄
We went to the Big Island in April when the pre-travel test was mandatory and it was fine, no big deal. We got the test at an approved partner nearby, they gave us the results in 20 minutes, we passed, had all our paperwork for the trip and all was well. If it’s going to help Hawaii travel, do it !
But still get vaccinated and wear your masks ! Let’s keep Hawaii safe and in good shape.
We’re fully vaccinated and more than willing to get the mainland to island pre-travel COVID testing (at a cost of $118 each!) to keep our Hawai’i and friends safe, but if the pre-travel COVID testing extends to inter-island travel the logistics means our travel will be squelched. With a Hawai’i Island visit for four nights, an O’ahu visit for two nights and then back to Hawai’i Island for seven nights we simply wouldn’t be *able* to get the inter-island testing done in time to travel that plan because it would require a total of three COVID tests for each of us in one seven-day period for the island hop. Sigh…it would be our third trip canceled due to COVID.
Dear Tonya, I’ve postponed my April(2022) trip until 2023. I just don’t feel comfortable traveling when the cases are up again. I will go to Hawaii when it is meant for me to go😊
Do you think they might be a little less stringent this time. Maybe not just approved travel partners? We had to cancel our trip last year because the timing of the test and finding an approved partner made it very difficult, where we live, to feel confident the test would return before the 2nd leg of our flight or whatever that rule was. Thanks for the info!
Hi Linda.
The trusted partners have been expanded greatly since then as a result of the new health passes. We don’t think it will change beyond that.
Aloha.
We just returned from HNL on UA, Tuesday. We Were fully vaccinated & were able to take advantage of the wristband program. We had a wonderful visit to Oahu & everyone we interacted with was warm & welcoming. Mahalo, for a fabulous trip. The Hawaiian Islands are truly a gem to be cherished. Everyone, please get vaccinated; otherwise this virus will continue forever!
Hawaii’s safe travels testing is ridiculous! Here, in Arkansas, we only have one option for testing. Wal-greens can’t get our test results back within 72 hours. I can’t believe any accredited lab is not allowed. If the testing requirements go back into affect, these two vaccinated individuals will be canceling our second trip to Hawaii and will go elsewhere. I don’t have an issue with the testing, I have a HUGE problem with the capricious and short-sighted use of the “testing partners.” We love our trips to Hawaii, but the government’s limited testing options are a joke!
The Vault testing option works well. It is a mail-in test; you can take it from the comfort of your home or office. Sample is sent overnight; we had our results emailed to us 30 hours after we mailed the samples. We will use Vault again if we need to provide a negative test when we return to Hawaii next February.
Thank you BOH for once again being on top of the ever-changing Covid-19 travel rules. You guys have been our Northstar for navigating travel to the islands the past 9mos. Exactly why I kept our Covid-19 72hr PCR test appts for our Sept 1st trip to Kauai, even though we have been fully vaccinated since April. We don’t mind the extra step to keep us & others safe. Just happy to be visiting again. Any top poke recommendations for Poipu or Lihue? Mahalo!
Hi Suzanna.
Thank you. Poke is a personal choice. For take out, we always like Fish Express for variety, quality and freshness.
Aloha.
They’re on my radar, thanks!!
I am so confused. I am leaving to Kauai next Thursday and I feel very nervous about these changes. I am fully vaccinated and I am s little confused on what to do before next Thursday.
Now just imagine a US Navy hospital ship over in Hawaii with several thousand hospital beds available! Just imagine that there would be no more whining about the subject and everyone could be taken care of. Yeah, not holding my breath waiting for ANY of the Hawaiian overlords to take a proactive step by requesting that to happen.
Exactly.. over 18 months and millions of dollars collected by the state from the feds, and they have no contingency in place. Caught flat footed.
They should have been working on a new plan to help supplement the massive state income from the travel industry starting, diminish the damage that’s being done to the economy. They’ve had over a year to to get this started, and still sitting on their hands.
I’ve been saying for years, they should just bring the Casino industry in, and then the locals wouldn’t have to book their annual (and sometimes multi-annual) trips to Las Vegas. All those Korean bars with the poker machines in them already, what’s the difference eh?
Maybe look into developing online business incentives for people to move to Hawaii and partake in the economy…
Aloha Beat of Hawaii.
It’s a mess, for sure.
I guess we’ll be doing this back and forth for the rest of time. As long as there’s Covid and all the variants possible.
Can these decisions continue to change with a moments notice?
Y’all are awesome!
Mahalo for your help.
Hi Pam.
Thank you. So true. We all hoped we were getting this behind us. It is discouraging to say the least.
Aloha.
Thanks for the update. If more and more people would get the covid vaccination your hospital bed/ICEU would drop significantly. Oh how we all look forward to “normal” life!
We leave for Maui in a week. When we booked this trip we thought Covid would be a distant memory. Do you think this could be reinstated within a week? Should we schedule a test just in case?
I would totally have a test 72 hours before you arrive. No reason to screw up your vacay
i would totally test regardless of rules, to protect other people
this will be re-implenented for sure, but it will be weeks or months out. no way they can announce a “start date” without sufficient advanced notice. besides, it will likely take the Gov a week or more to decide if he wants to approve or not and he may end up saying its up to each county to decide … then that will add to the timeline even more.
bravo! been saying this for a long time
time to keep those cavalier vaccinated super-spreaders off the island
Yes it will be safer for everyone. It also means that the locals will stop being the super spreaders since the statistics say they’re responsible for 98% of the cases.
Except ONLY about 2% of cases were caused by visitors
If a fully vaccinated person gets the booster shot (8 months after second shot received), will this be allowed for entrance?
Looked at list of trusted and approved testing partners. Which are available in south Texas??
We tried nov 2020, we know that didn’t work out. And now here’s 2021: still issues.
About to give up on our 8th visit!!!
Hi –
I am sure this question may be met with a “shake your Magic 8 Ball” answer, but, how soon do you think these regulations may go into affect? We are flying to Maui on Thursday Aug 26th. Thanks for any info – and I have loved keeping up via BOH! You’re the best!
Hi Cindie.
Thank you! The crystal ball says it could be any time. If you want a “guess,” perhaps next week.
Aloha.
I’m currently on medi-cal. Do you know which approved partners offer free or lower cost testing. I looked up Cvs and it’s $185 for the test! Thanks for any help and stay safe everyone!
Hi Anjanette.
No, sorry we do not know. Perhaps someone else will chime in.
Aloha.
AnJanette,
Depending on where you live maybe City Health or thru Kaiser Permanente would be less expensive? Good luck!
covidtesting.cityhealthuc.com/hawaii-covid19-testing
This is not going to help increase vaccination numbers.
Just in time for our Sep 1 trip. Maybe we’ll get lucky, and Ige will either say “no” or approve just for Big Island, since he’s had no problem with allowing different rules between the counties. Maybe it will reduce the number of tourists, so at least there’s that.
Hi David.
Welcome back in any event.
Aloha.
Just wondering…. When/if quarantine is required, how does one get from the airport to the place of quarantine. We have a house in Waimea, and have to find some way to get from KOA to Waimea, once this gets reinstated. And, yes, we are vaccinated, but that seems no longer to be ‘enough.’
Nothing new here: it is REALLY HARD to understand what the requirements are and really hard to follow them as they change, even with hard work on our part.
Thanks for the update! Not sure why there could be a need for quarantine if testing protocol is followed. Won’t airlines bar passengers who can’t provide negative test results? Even those going beyond Hawaii on I bound flights should be tested or find a different route.
Hi Skip.
That is not within the airlines’ purview. It is complicated legally when you’re taking about domestic rather than international travel.
Aloha.
Aloha. I know you’ve explained this before, but exactly what is the 72 your rule? Is it that you take the test in the 72 hour window of when your flight departs or lands? What are the usual turn around times for these tests? Thank you!
Hi Judy.
The rule again is the test must be taken within 72 hours of the flight from the Mainland to Hawaii. Depending on the test and the provider, the results could take minutes to hours to days.
Aloha.
all of the rules are clearly explained on the travel.hawaii.gov
start there and we can help with any questions
Will this be effective immediately do you think when issued?
Hi Ed.
We would think that if it is approved, it would take a few days, at least three, before we it could become effective.
Aloha.
This should have always been the case to test pre-travel whether vaccinated or not vaccinated. I thought it was discriminatory to only test the unvaccinated prior to travel, how does that even make sense to not test the vaccinated pre-travel? When the vaccinated can still contract and spread covid.
because at the time the media and the health agencies were all lying and telling people if they get the vax they could not get or spread covid. they even told them all to take off their masks. Anybody paying attention knew from day one none of the vaxxes were tested or approved to stop infection and spread. this was known in december.
Its unfortunate that TBTB feel the need to lie to the populace to coerce them into things. They treat their constituents like uneducated fools
I cannot tell you enough how grateful I am for your blog. I frequent Hawaii and appreciate you all keeping me updated on the Covid protocols. Thank you!
Hi Sandra.
Thank you! We sincerely appreciate that and your other comments.
Aloha.
If you’re traveling from the East Coast (not a nonstop, direct flight), you probably have to pay the freight and test at one of the Airline Airport test facilities. Otherwise, I’m not sure you can find a TRUSTED TESTING AND TRAVEL PARTNER on the East Coast? Has anyone done this from the East Coast?
Yes. We have done it twice already. Once with vault. Then with Walgreens rapid tests. Now cvs is an option too. Look at the Hawaii approved partner list and google for locations near you. We are in the Philadelphia burbs and have plenty of testing options.
So who’s getting sick the Tourists or the residents? Quit blaming the tourists . It’s a shame to have an economy based on tourism and the residents are getting sick ruining the tourists plans Tourists that have to cancel their plans should be reimbursed 2 times their costs by the residents of Hawaii
probably seems a bit late to try and throw up the walls at this point? It’s not like the people that already live on the islands are not already carriers?
Thanks for the great information. I’m scheduled to arrive in Maui in November. Although I’m fully vaccinated I do understand the need to control the situation. What I don’t understand is why they say get tested within 72 hrs of your trip. It makes one rush to get the test done and then hope and pray they get their results in time as well as trying to tie up loose ends prior to travel. I guess the best part after rushing around to comply with the rules to be able to go there is being there..I personally think that they should allow testing a little further out,
maybe by a day or 2.
Hi Karen.
It seems that 72 hours is more or less the global standard for this.
Aloha.
Here we go again – confusing rules and regulations with interisland and transpacific travels like during the 2020 season.
Help the powers that be to get this right this time around.
Can’t say I’m surprised, but I don’t know what good it is. Being vaccinated, it would still be possible to acquire the virus and be asymptotic after the 72 hour test was administered.
We’ll be on Kaua’i and Oahu for 2 weeks next month. The test is really no big deal (I’ve had several) it’s just an inconvenience and one we will comply with, even though I believe even the State has said travelers from the mainland are not the problem, it’s Hawaiians going to the mainland unvaccinated and not properly quarantining when they return home.
Any word on inter-island testing coming back?
Mahalo BOH.
Hi Ed.
We don’t expect to see interisland testing return. Enjoy your time on Oahu and kauai!
Aloha.
Aloha! Counting down to our 8/25 Maui arrival. How’s your magic ball? Does Ige give enough lead time for us who are traveling soon; right we would need to get our 72 hrs. ahead on this Sunday, 8/22, if that was in place today. Your thoughts? Mahalo and aloha.
Hi Susan.
We can’t envision less than perhaps 5 days notice, but that’s just a guess based on how things roll here.
Aloha.
Mahalo! Have our tests scheduled 8/22 if we need them. Paid in advance but company will refund if not needed. Aloha. Maui this year next year Kauai!
No changes for Canadians, even if approved. Canadian vaccination was not accepted anyway.
We leave for Hawaii on the twenty eighth of August and are vaccinated. There are not any approved testing sites nearby. If approved, how much time would they give travelers who are departing soon to get tested.
Thank you for keeping us updated
Aloha. Is there any idea as to how much time between the announcement and the restart of this process would be? Traveling Thursday to Maui.
Mahalo for your thoughts
Hi Jeff.
We are guessing 3-5 days, if it happens.
Aloha.
AnJanette,
Depending on where you live maybe City Health or thru Kaiser Permanente would be less expensive? Good luck!