Hawaii state officials are hoping to restart tourism this month by loosening pandemic-related travel restrictions.
A new pre-travel testing requirement implemented by the state of Hawaii will allow travelers to bypass a 14-day quarantine requirement upon entry to the state. The new voluntary program permits individuals to produce a pre-travel negative COVID-19 test result into a state digital online system as proof that they are not infected with the virus.
Read on to learn more about Hawaii’s new Safe Travel Program and the requirements it sets.
Current Restrictions in Place Prior to October 15
Currently, prior to October 15, 2020, the state of Hawaii requires a 14-day quarantine of all travelers coming into the state. In addition, as of September 1st, Hawaii has mandated travelers to complete a digital “Safe Travels” online form.
“I am pleased to launch this digital form which will allow our travelers to provide their required health and travel information before they arrive at the airport,” said Gov. David Ige. “It will also help us keep in contact with those who are required to be in quarantine. This is an important step in preparing to reopen our economy.”
The online form processes two types of forms: one for individuals traveling inter-island and transpacific, and one for travel to and within Hawaii.
The form provides the Hawaii State Department of Health (DOH) access to mandatory health information to “monitor and protect public health in real-time.” The digital submissions by travelers can also be used by the State Attorney General and county law enforcement officials in their efforts to enforce the 14-day quarantine restriction.
Thus, all travelers arriving into Hawaii on or before October 14 will be required to complete the digital form and are subject to the 14-day quarantine requirement. The traveler must designate a hotel or motel as the designated location of their quarantine stay.
Criticisms of Hawaii’s COVID-19 Pandemic Response
As reported by the Associated Press, the COVID-19 restrictions have taken a toll on residents who depend on tourism. Prior to the pandemic, approximately 30,000 travelers visited the islands every day. As a result of the pandemic, many businesses have permanently closed. Hotels, restaurants, and bars are under limited capacity. Hawaii has suffered from one of the highest unemployment rates since the beginning of the pandemic. The pandemic has had a deleterious impact on vacation-related and tourism activity.
There have been numerous criticisms for how the state has responded to the pandemic. Hawaii’s state Director of Health Bruce Anderson and Director of Public Safety Nolan Espinda were both criticized for their handling of the virus and contact tracing efforts. Both officers stepped down from their positions amid the criticism.
New Safe Travels Testing System Starts on October 15
A new project slated to begin on October 15, 2020, allows travelers to bypass the 14-day quarantine requirement by providing a negative test result within 72 hours of arrival to the state. Dubbed the “pre-travel testing program,” the system provides a multi-layered screening process. Along with the pre-travel test component, it includes temperature checks upon arrival with secondary screening for those with symptoms or a fever of 100.4 or higher.
Arguments For and Against
Most view the new testing requirements as a loosening of travel restrictions. The main argument is that the plan will allow the islands to recover economically. Proponents argue it adds a layer of protection against the virus from incoming travelers and allows the tourism industry to restart.
Although it does reduce the likelihood that an infected person will enter the state, those arguing against the new program state that it gives a false sense of security that incoming visitors will be free of the virus. Unfortunately, that can’t be guaranteed. The reality is that they may be infected on the plane trip to the islands or in the airport or taxi ride.
Some argue that reopening tourism before children go back to school creates a hardship for parents who work in the tourism industry. Others say the plan does not take into account capacity or costs. Many argue the plan is not ready to be implemented and that additional protection is necessary.
More About the Testing Project
The COVID pre-travel test is voluntary
The test is not mandatory. Travelers will have the option of taking the test or isolating for 2 weeks when they arrive.
Type of Test
Travelers will be required to use a nucleic acid amplification test. The test must be approved or authorized by the United States Food and Drug Administration. In addition, the test taken must be processed by a laboratory that is licensed or certified by the Clinical Laboratories Improvement Amendments (CLIA).
Antibody and antigen tests will not be accepted. If a traveler takes the wrong test, they will need to quarantine for 14 days upon arrival. This means that the traveler must lodge in a hotel or motel and will only be allowed to leave for a medical emergency.
When to take the test
Travelers need to take the test within 72 hours from the final leg of their departure. It is a pre-travel requirement; the test must be taken prior to departure. Individuals not taking a test pre-departure will be subject to quarantine for 14 days.
Approved testing partners
Hawaii will partner with U.S. mainland pharmacies and airlines for testing. Travelers will load their test results onto a state website and mobile app. This will allow state officials to track incoming passengers.
Hawaii accepts COVID-19 test results from several entities: AFC UrgentCare, Carbon Health, CityHealth Urgent Care, Color, CVS Health, Kaiser Permanent, Quest Diagnostics, Value Health, and Walgreens. (Hawaii, pretravel testing program)
Reporting the test – digital system
If choosing to use the testing option, individuals must register on the state of Hawaii Safe Travels digital system.
Travelers will be required to upload their negative pre-travel test result and answer a health questionnaire. This must be done 24 hours prior to their departure.
Purpose of the online digital system
The purpose of the digital system is to protect the health and safety of residents of Hawaii as well as visitors.
The digital form serves to reduce the amount o time a traveler has to stand in line at the airport to go through the screening process.
“Compared to paper processing, this digital form will save travelers time at the airport and will speed up distribution of information to state and county officials who need it to keep us all safe,” said Douglas Murdock, chief information officer, Office of Enterprise Technology Services, State of Hawaii.
According to a press release issued by the state, the digital platform was developed through a partnership with Google and SpringML. The implementation of the system costs $638,000. Funding for the system was allocated through the Federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act).
The CARES Act is a $2.2 trillion economic stimulus bill passed by the U.S. Congress in response to the economic hardships caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Key features of the new Safe Travels app include:
- The ability to log in using Email, Google, or Facebook logins.
- A highly secured platform built on Google cloud.
- The verification of passenger contact information before arrival to speed up their processing at the airport.
- Collection of health and contact information needed for arrival screening and public health monitoring.
- Creation of a QR code that airport screeners scan to review the traveler’s information for clearance or secondary screening.
- Automated generation of quarantine check-in reminders as emails and text messages.
- The project is managed by the State of Hawaii, Office of Enterprise Technology Services and the State Department of Transportation, DOH, Department of the Attorney General, Hawaii Tourism Authority, and various counties.
Minors
Minors who are 5 years and older al also required to take the test. Children 4 and under do not have to take it.
If a traveler has a positive result
If the test result is positive, the traveler will be required to quarantine. If others are traveling with that individual, they will also be required to quarantine.
Page last updated on October 8, 2020.