There is concurrence between all major players on changing rules for travel to Hawaii. While at the same time there is an enormous divergence of opinion on some of them. We are sharpening our crystal ball with a list of “likely” changes, together with how they may work going forward, and its impact on you.
In 500 comments this weekend, we heard from you about how Safe Travels is or is not working, and how it is impacting your Hawaii travel plans. We’ve perused all the comments, and they are definitely a compelling read.
Next, we are waiting to hear a word from the governor. On Facebook this morning, he expressed concerns about making changes to the program, about the cost and availability of on-island testing. He also expressed being wary of more missteps. Thus, in spite of others’ requests, it may take a day or more for him to try and figure this out and bring others into the process.
We feel sure that there will be changes coming this week. Read on for what they may include following the input from these stakeholders:
Hawaii Department of Health.
Dr. Libby Char supports amending the Safe Travels program to implement a second antigen or another type of test from 3 to 5 days after arrival. She said that the department makes recommendations only, rather than implementing change. According to Director Char, the Health Department has always believed that a second test should be a part of Safe Travels. Last week the department reduced the quarantine period from 14 to 10 days for those exposed to COVID but does not have the authority to modify the rules as regards travel.
Lieutenant Governor Josh Green.
The single person responsible for the state’s Safe Travels testing program is Lt. Governor and Big Island emergency room physician, Josh Green. He wants to see the pre-travel test window expanded from the current 72 hours to 96 hours, with a second test 3 to 5 days after arrival.
It is not clear whether Green is in favor of self-quarantine or other measures before post-travel test results are obtained.
State legislature.
Hawaii’s legislature is becoming more involved in the decision-making on Safe Travels.
The “Senate” Special Committee on COVID on Friday asked that the governor make a decision today, Monday. They are requesting that the state require additional testing on arrival, plus implement a mandatory 7-day quarantine period regardless of test results.
Should the committee’s recommendation be implemented, that will effectively stop all Hawaii tourism while it is in effect. We have said repeatedly that the preponderance of visitors will not come to Hawaii if they are subjected to a quarantine of any duration.
There is also a “House” Special Committee on COVID. That group said last week that while it believes that the Safe Travels program is working well, “The committee believes it can be improved and some of the confusion about the program can be eliminated.” In saying that, the committee recommended that those who do not have a negative test result on arrival be able to take a subsequent test. When both pre and post-travel negative results are presented, the traveler would be exempted from quarantine. That according to Hawaii House Speaker Scott Saiki.
Hawaii county mayors.
The four, county mayors appear to agree. Mayor Kawakami of now-14-day-quarantine-shuttered Kauai said, “All four of Hawaii’s mayors have agreed on a unified proposal to require that the Safe Travels program require all incoming trans-pacific travelers to take a pre-travel test along with a second, post-travel test three to four days after arrival. This statewide proposal has been presented to Governor Ige for his consideration.” The governor pointed out this morning, however, that he was not inclined to allow the Safe Travels program be defined by different rules on an island-by-island basis, as Kauai had earlier requested.
Largest Hawaii medical organizations onboard.
HMSA, the state’s largest insurer, and Hawaii Pacific Health (HPH), the state’s largest medical/hospital system, are in agreement. That is based on information from the public health and strategy and communications subcommittees. These are headed by HMSA and HPH.
These stakeholders suggest arrivals who test within 72-hour of departure be exempt from quarantine if they also obtain a negative rapid test result on arrival in Hawaii and a negative pre-travel testing result. “This solution, in partnership with the stakeholders who will support it, is a good plan for this current time.”
Following are the changes on the table and the possible outcomes.
1. Reduction of the 14-day quarantine.
New Idea: Quarantine that ends either upon a second negative test result or following 7 days, depending on the proposal.
Old: Mandatory 14-day quarantine if negative test taken within 72 hours of departure from the mainland is not available to be provided on arrival.
Discussion: It has proven quite difficult to have a test administered and results obtained timely. A second test is considered by most to be highly desirable.
2. Extending pre-travel test window beyond 72-hours.
New Idea: Tests administered perhaps within 96-hours of departure.
Old: Tests need to be administered within 72-hours of departure and results must be presented on arrival to avoid the 14-day quarantine.
Discussion: With COVID surges reducing testing capacity on the mainland, Tthe duration needs to be extended either with or without a second test.
3. Additional post-travel testing in Hawaii.
New Idea: Rapid antigen test within 3-4 days of arrival in Hawaii. Not clear who will pay for that or if there will be enough tests available to accomplish the goal.
Old. Just one pre-travel test.
4. Self-isolation or 7-day quarantine between pre-travel and post-travel tests.
New Idea: If it is self-isolation, Hawaii may suggest not going to restaurants, participating in group activities, or being in close proximity to others until the second rapid test is administered and negative results received. If it is 7-day quarantine, there won’t be any visitors, so it won’t much matter.
Old: No provision for widespread second tests except on the Big Island.
5. Kauai quarantine update.
New Idea: Kauai rejoins Safe Travels on the same terms as other islands.
Old: Mandatory 14-day quarantine of all arrivals.
Discussion: The governor seems to be clear that Safe Travels will not have multiple definitions.
6. Reduced quarantine period.
New Idea: 7 to 10-day quarantine without testing.
Old: 14-day quarantine.
Discussion: This is per the latest guidance from CDC issued late last week.
Questions that remain:
1. The big question is what will the governor ultimately do. Will he agree with virtually everyone else in terms of second tests?
2. What will the state’s decision be about whether or not to implement a mandatory or self-quarantine either before the second test results or for a fixed period of 7 days.
3. Does Hawaii have adequate testing supplies for 150k+ tests a month that will be needed for travel. The governor has said that the current testing capacity may not be sufficient and he is loathed to take testing away from those of medical necessity.
4. Who will pay for these second tests? Are you willing to? The direction we are hearing is for these to be paid for by travelers.
We’ve hit 5 islands in 8 weeks testing each time. I’ve been vaccinated and three of the islands we visited have near zero cases More restrictive measures will destroy your tourist economy even further. Good luck