After the government of Hawaii enacted a mandatory 14-day quarantine on arrival for passengers arriving from the rest of the U.S., and even on inter-island travel, flights to the the state basically ceased. This has had a massive impact on a state that is very tourism-dependent. Travel to the islands was almost nonexistent, and Hawaii made it clear that their COVID-19 quarantine must be taken seriously.
But things are changing.
Hawaii to Open to COVID-Negative Passengers August 1
On August 1 the Hawaiian Islands will reopen to visitors. You’ll just need to provide proof of a negative COVID-19 test no more than 72 hours old. This is what will allow you to avoid the mandatory quarantine and hit the beach.
You will not be able to get a test at the airport, however. You’ll need to be tested within 72 hours of your scheduled arrival time back at home. This *does* make travel planning a bit nerve-wracking, as you could book flights three weeks out and then contract the virus before departure. But it’s a necessary step to managing coronavirus transmission.
I would hope that anyone who tests COVID-19 positive would avoid traveling entirely, so no one would need to quarantine any longer? But you never know. Some have still insisted on flying. The last category is flying *without* being tested, in which case you’ll need to still quarantine for 14 days.
Hawaiian Airlines will be making a massive comeback due to this change. At least…this is what they are anticipating. The airline plans to fly 252 weekly flights between the islands and the mainland, and intra-island flights will see an increase as well. Currently, flights have only been for critical travel and cargo.
Final Thoughts
Hawaii has done a good job restricting travel during this time and has experienced a low number of COVID-19 cases. However, their economy has taken quite a hit, and many restaurants may never reopen. It’s easier to restrict travel when you’re made up of islands.
Travel to Hawaii will undoubtedly result in increasing COVID-19 infections. I don’t doubt this. But the state cannot stay closed to tourists forever without facing another painful reality. The decision to allow travel back to Hawaii with proof of a negative COVID-19 test is a good one, in my opinion.
Sadly unless this is either lifted or loosened we will need to also cancel for October. We live on East coast and it is not possible to get results in 72 hours anywhere in the state of VA. In addition I was told that if you test, then leave without results you will be remanded to your resort until such time as producing the negative results. But if results happen to be positive you will need to be quarantined. I would prefer to have results before I leave to alleviate possibly flying with the virus and infecting the entire flight. Understand all this of course. But if I had the results before I left it would be so much easier to cancel should the results be positive. This is just another ploy to make mainlanders think they are welcome but truly are not. Such a shame Hawaiian economy will suffer greatly still.
That’s the most important reason, especially. For the flight. I do feel bad for the islanders who are so dependent on tourism for their livelihoods.
Shy of them opening the window up to a reasonable test result time then this isn’t going to help them. Most places just can’t turn the rest results around that fast. If they said rest results dated within 5 days that would be slightly better…but 72 hours is going to be hard for most.
Agreed. Looks like people are struggling to find tests that can be done within that window.
We just cancelled our scheduled August trip because 72 hours before getting to Hawaii is impossible. Went to three different testing locations and one said 3-5 days for results. The other said 5-7 days. We live in the east and leave in the morning. So very sad. We typically travel to the islands four times a year. Already cancelled two trips. Hoping for a longer timeframe from testing for our scheduled November trip
I wonder if they if they specify which kind of covid-19 tests are allowed. Do they have to be fda approved or is approved under fda eua ok?
I was dealing with the same issue. I cannot find anyplace that can do a test, and get you the results and proof within 72 hours. Given the billions being lost by the airline and travel industry and lost tourism revenue for states, it seems they would want to help themselves by creating testing networks or setting up regional centers, etc. to accomplish on-demand testing that meets travel requirements. The ultimate solution is same day testing centers at airports where you can go early or the day before. Instead of asking Congress for bailouts, maybe the airline and travel industries as well s states that want tourists should invest in solutions to get people tested on-demand so they can travel and so people can travel in Covid free environments.
That’s a bummer! I know that you can get results much faster than that. Unfortunate those aren’t the tests being given.
From what we just heard from Gov Ige and Lr Gov, they could lock down again due to the explosion of COVID in the US.
I just cancelled a three week trip, starting August 1st, due to this and United Airlines screwing up my flights. Also expect many places to be closed or closed down and lack of supplies worse than the US. Have relatives that live in Lahaina. I will go next year.
Many places being closed is a major worry. If we go all the way to Hawaii, I wouldn’t want to be constrained on what we can do.
Do you know if infants or children will be required to be tested? We plan to travel in December with an 8 month old.
Yes everyone must test