Starting August 1 you’ll be able to travel to Hawaii without requiring a 14-day isolation, as long as you have taken a C0VID test within 72 hours of travel and can prove the results on arrival. Easier said than done apparently, both from your comments and our checking.
Hawaii indicated it plans to partner with CVS for travel testing, but as of today, we found nothing has changed on the CVS website in regards to travelers. When we entered a Los Angeles area zip code, we were told that without symptoms, we were not eligible.
We are still a month away, but many of you are frustrated as seen in comments like the following:
Mike W. said, “C0VID tests are either NOT available to general travelers or have longer than a 3 day wait for results on the mainland. Hawaii says, their working on this?! I have lots of money invested in this trip and now get an EMAIL from Hawaiian Airlines saying, “If I CHOOSE to get a COVID Test” you can bypass Quarantine?! REALLY? “CHOOSE???” If I can’t get the test is this JUST the Airlines and Hotel/Condo industries way of getting out of refunds or rescheduling?
Shane added, “It is difficult if not impossible to get a test for C0vid here on the mainland unless you have symptoms. If you could get a test the results as quoted by CVS here on the mainland and Oahu, the wait is 3 to 5 days. CVS’s website says 2 to 4 days, but when you call the recorded message it says 5 days. 90% of people wanting to come will not have their test results in hand when they go to the airport.”
Leslie comments, “Just to be sure — this requirement means that 3 days before I travel I have to have the test and the results of that test when I land in Hawaii. What if I have a layover or travel delay? This is very complicated.”
Questions:
1. Will it be possible for Hawaii bound travelers to obtain tests within 72 hours of travel, without requiring medical necessity? Which types of tests will be accepted?
2. Can visitors who obtain tests be assured that they will receive the results in time to present them on arrival in Hawaii?
3. What is the cost of the test? Depending on your location, they can range from free to as much as $160 (Hawaii Governor Ige’s estimate). Who is going to foot the bill for $160 tests? Lt. Gov. Josh Green said at a press conference last week that travelers will have to pay the cost of the test, and will then provide printed or emailed certification to the state as proof of a negative result.
4. Do children need to be tested, and if so, starting at what age?
Beat of Hawaii: We do believe that Hawaii stands ready to welcome visitors back. And that there is no ruse or scam intended concerning testing. We don’t know if Hawaii can pull the rabbit out of the hat and make this happen at reasonable cost, to the degree required and in time to remove the impediment to travelers. We hope so, and are awaiting much-needed clarification soon from the state.
Will there be dog sniff testing next?
Global testing underway indicates the potential for this non-invasive form of rapid testing. As you may know, Hawaii has for years used dogs to detect both drugs and other contraband including produce, in passenger luggage. A dog only requires a one-half second sniff. In the end, a dog won’t make a final determination, and the person testing positive by a dog could require further testing.
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I have a trip scheduled flight on Hawaian Airlines for Jan 8-22, 2021, to Las Vegas. On my way back to the islands! do I need to be tested for myself and my wife.
As of the last few days: State is looking into a 5 day testing window instead of a 3. and if your results don’t arrive in time for your physical arrival, you will be quar antined but only until your (hopefully) negative test results arrive.
This is good news and makes a it less stressful. I sure hope they can push to a 5 day window.
We are supposed to travel on Labor Day (reschedules from April) and getting my family. tested on the Friday before and hoping For results by Monday is freaking me out.