There’s a change in the air throughout Hawaii today. It’s our last day wearing masks. In the past two years, we’ve had everything from nightly curfews, closed beaches, National Guard roadblocks on the highway to make sure we were only doing essential errands, tourism shut down, and family gatherings put on hold. We can recall going to beaches when it was only permitted to enter the water, but not to stop on the sand. And then there were the checkpoints at all of our airports. What wild times.
Starting at midnight tonight, we will at long last mark the end of the state’s emergency Covid proclamation. With that goes both the Hawaii Safe Travels program and the indoor mask mandate. Businesses are free to require masks if they choose to do so. We haven’t heard of any who are doing that, and rather have seen notices saying that masks will no longer be required.
From tomorrow, when you travel to Hawaii, it is going to be just like it was before we ever heard of Covid. This comes as great news for many, including those heading to the islands for spring break. We are anticipating up to 1 million visitor arrivals in the 30 days following Safe Travels’ elimination.
Arriving domestic visitors and residents alike will no longer have to follow any Covid regulations. There will be no Safe Travels account to set up, and no testing or vaccination rules either. There will be no Covid screening of any kind before or after travel to Hawaii. International arrivals aren’t governed by Hawaii rules, but rather those of the CDC, as will continue to be the case.
Governor Ige said, “this has been a long journey for all of us. Hawaii has had the fewest cases per capita in the country and the second lowest death rate in the country thanks to all of us pulling together as a community. Each one of you has contributed to protecting public health, revitalizing our economy, and strengthening our communities.”
We have also had masks required at some outdoor venues, such as farmers’ markets, where as far as we understand, the chances of getting Covid are virtually non-existent. And we’re certainly looking forward to moving on in life.
What’s it going to be like for you?
Updated 3/25/22.
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MJ says
I don’t fault anyone who wants to be safe, but I’m afraid certain administration people, though not all, forced Americans to “drink the Kool Aid” regarding masks. It’s been proven that unless they’re N-95’s they are useless against Covid. It’s the equivalent of a MAGA hat nowadays – they’re just a political statement…
sean says
Spent most of my off work time in FL. No masks is normal for me.
To me it’s gonna be entertaining watching the brainwashed try to decide whether they feel safe enough to remove them.
Andy says
I love the establishment’s that are still playing it safe and requiring masks. I appreciate that and make sure I support them for their kuleana! Be Pono
People!
Bill says
You need to read more scientific studies and brush up. Your beliefs seem to be grounded in political science and not hard science.
MJ says
I don’t fault anyone who wants to be safe, but I’m afraid certain administration people, though not all, forced Americans to “drink the Kool Aid” regarding masks. It’s been PROVEN that unless they’re N-95’s they are useless against Covid. It’s the equivalent of a MAGA hat nowadays. Just a political statement…
David B says
There was a comment by some guy in a recent WSJ article explaining that his college-age daughter would still wear one outside. He said she admitted it did nothing in terms of COVID, but that she wore it anyway because she did not want people to think she was a republican.
Roy H says
Yes it’s nice to have cleared the covid hurdles. (At least for now.) I was reading an article in the google news, that said they have found a way to increase the manufacture of semiconductor chips by 50%. That will go a long way to alleviating inflation and should help with car rental cost. Hope to see you two in the upcoming month.
Aloha
Beat of Hawaii says
Hi Roy.
We both look forward to that too.
Aloha.