We were anxiously awaiting today’s news from the CDC related to the further reopening of Hawaii travel. While it provided updated recommendations for those who have been fully vaccinated, there were no specifics related to travel. Your countless comments reflect this is on your mind, too, and finding out when you can travel to Hawaii without additional requirements other than vaccination.
CDC had planned to issue travel guidance today.
Unfortunately, however, they decided to omit that portion from today’s announcement at the last minute. The most important travel questions include how long vaccines can offer immunity against the virus, whether those vaccinated can still be carriers, and whether vaccinated people could remain susceptible to the new COVID variants.
In today’s statement, the CDC stated: “How long vaccine protection lasts and how much vaccines protect against emerging SARS-CoV-2 variants are still under investigation. Until more is known and vaccination coverage increases, some prevention measures will continue to be necessary for all people, regardless of vaccination status.”
The CDC did not revise its prior recommendations advising against travel. They said, “We are really trying to restrain travel, and we’re hopeful that our next set of guidance will have more science around what vaccinated people can do, perhaps travel being among them.”
What will Hawaii’s position be following today’s update?
In and of itself, the above statement is likely all that will be required for the State of Hawaii to conclude that the current Safe Travels program for mainland travel will remain unchanged, at least for now. However, in question is whether Hawaii will move forward with removing testing requirements interisland, for everyone, or at least for those who have been vaccinated. There is still no word that there should be some movement in that area related to interisland travel starting in April.
We look forward to your thoughts.
“We are really trying to restrain travel…”. They are doing an outstanding job of that. Until HI opens up fully, do not put your vacation at risk by going there and being subject to their regulatory whims. Vote with your dollar and go somewhere that is open. Their lockdown has really little to do with “science” anymore.
It is really becoming all more political than truth. Open your state and have people live and travel like usual. If people have the vaccine and hospitalization droped and immunity against catching covid. People die from the flu more than covid especially if they are very old and catch the flu will end up the same.Believe in God and if your days are over, then no medicine or vaccine can stop sickness or death. People are dying not from covid but from jailing them at home with no freedom. Masks make you exhale dirty air back to your lungs instead of going out. People do not take covid if they are vaccinated. It will be like a flu if they got it after they are vaccinated. Why the governers and people in the white house caught in parties at restaurants with no Mask or social distancing and they send their children to private schools.No vaccine, They did not catch it.Take the politics out please and let people be free whether they want the vaccine or not and do not need it if they have immunity and do not want to be vaccinated,I love Hawaii and have groups going with me every year and we are missing Hawaii, Do not answer the Poleticians trust me. Traveling to Hawaii gives the state and public money to live instead of committing suicide and getting sick from being inside their home. God bless you and bless America
I work for a health care facility (hospice), and we’re tested monthly. I submitted the request for Hawaii to add Curative testing to the approved tests, for travel to Hawaii. Do you have any help for me in finding out how long that process takes (getting approved or denied)?
From Moderna: “Based on the evidence so far, the new variants of SARS-CoV-2, including the B.1.1.7 and the 501Y.V2, do not alter the effectiveness of the Moderna mRNA vaccine.” “Immunity persists for several months, but the full duration is not yet known.” “The Moderna vaccine has been shown to have an efficacy of approximately 92 per cent in protecting against COVID-19, starting 14 days after the first dose.” Of course, Moderna requires two doses for full efficacy, and note the earlier mentioned term immunity. Immunity implies against the virus.
We are on Kauai and feel more comfortable that we are vaccinated but well aware we may still be carriers, and are socially respectful of those we encounter. To us, as visitors, one of the easiest ways to help assure that we are still negative is to provide free testing every few days. I would expect that our vaccinations would be effective but I am willing to submit to testing to help.
I hope some decision will be made regarding vaccination related to travel. I just got my first shot on March 8th and my next one will be on the 29th. My family and I have plans to spend our Thanksgiving week in Honolulu. (Where I met my wife!!! And that was 16 years ago!!) It would be nice to celebrate a belated anniversary (of sorts). I hope that the Governor and CDC can make some guidelines for people who receive the vaccine and what implications that will have to visiting. My wife and daughter won’t get the vaccine until later this year.
Mahalo for keeping us on the mainland updated! Yes, my late-April trip is still a GO. We are still planning on being twice-vaccinated, take a COVID Rapid NAAT test within 72 hours of departing NJ, and using our phone app to report daily and upload our negative test results. Living in NJ, we are used to a Governor who shut us down, forced mask wearing, and followed the science. I have no qualms about wearing a mask everywhere (did it last year in Disney World). Only “concern” now, is what is happening in the Bay Area of California. We are flying back to Oakland and staying 2 days before continuing home to NJ. If we have to stay in our hotel room and order delivery, so be it.
Who is running the state of Hawaii??? Is it the CDC or the Governor. Asking for a friend. 🙂 I understand to be cautious, but the governor has had all year to come up with a plan. This is what the state of confusion looks like. Look at what some of the states are doing on the mainland. Opening up with caution of course.
It is no secret and easily researched that:
1. No it does not protect you from future variants. They’ve already come out and said that they will have to make a new formula every year just like the regular flu shot.
2. Yes vaccinated people can still get the virus and transmit it. The 80 to 90% efficacy they’re talking about is for symptoms. What that means is if you get the covid shot you won’t die from getting the Covid. Which is good news but it certainly is not the same thing as immunity.
Don’t take my word for it, do the research. Probably not a good idea to use Google though because if you have watched the documentary “social dilemma” you’ll know that Google is the most censored search engine out there.
The lessons of depending on the government continue.
Two days ago Dr. Fauci identified the vaccine will protect people for 6 months and very good chance much longer as more results are in. Hopefully Hawaii will recognize this in their covid testing and travel requirements as they make updates. Spending approximately $170 for each person who has been vaccinated and are protected is quite costly for a family.