Big milestone in Hawaii reopening; As of today, pre-testing and quarantine no longer required for the fully vaccinated
This post contains references to products from one or more of our advertisers. We may receive compensation when you click on links to those products. Terms apply to the offers listed on this page. For an explanation of our Advertising Policy, visit this page.
Editor’s note: This post has been updated with new information. It was originally published on June 24.
It’s officially here. The state of Hawaii, as of today, July 8, 2021, is no longer requiring quarantine or pre-testing for fully vaccinated visitors from the mainland.
The Hawaii governor’s office confirmed to TPG last week that the state’s testing and quarantine requirements were coming to an end.
The governor’s office also confirmed kids under 5 will still not need to be tested prior to arrival, but kids ages 5 to 12 (who can’t yet get vaccines) will still need to test in order to skip quarantine.
For more TPG travel news and tips delivered each morning to your inbox, sign up for our free daily newsletter.
The office of Hawaii Gov. David Ige said the governor “.. has announced the State of Hawai‘i’s vaccination exception program for domestic, Hawai‘i-bound travelers vaccinated in the United States or U.S. Territories … allows these travelers to bypass the state’s quarantine requirement with proof of vaccination starting on Thursday, July 8, 2021.”
That’s good news for those who want to visit Hawaii but have been put off by the stringent testing requirements. As of today, if you are vaccinated, you will no longer be required to get a test prior to visiting Hawaii. You will also not have to quarantine.
Ige’s office said, “Children under 5 years old are not required to test and will not be quarantined if traveling with an adult who has a pre-travel test exception or a vaccination exception. Children 5 years and older who have not been vaccinated must participate in the Pre-Travel Testing Program and test with a Trusted Testing Partner to bypass the mandatory 10-day quarantine.”
Ige originally announced the July 8 date at a press conference on June 24 in Honolulu but formalized it last week while unveiling more details.
It’s a major change to the sometimes confusing process of visiting Hawaii via its Safe Travels program.
Visitors to Hawaii will still need to take the following steps according to the State of Hawaii:
- Upload one of three vaccination documents to their Safe Travels Hawai‘i account prior to traveling to Hawaii. One of the following documents must be uploaded:
-
- A CDC COVID-19 vaccination record card
- VAMS (Vaccination Administration Management System) printout or
- DOD DD Form 2766C
- Sign the online legal attestations on Safe Travels Hawaiʻi, confirming the uploaded documentation is true and accurate.
- Bring a hard copy of their vaccination documentation to show screeners at the gate prior to boarding and/or upon arrival in Hawaii. Screeners will review/verify the vaccination documents, match photo IDs, name and date of birth, as well as confirm that the attestations are signed.
Hawaii says their “digital platform is now allowing vaccine document uploads for trips arriving in Hawaiʻi on July 8 and beyond.”
The state is also easing restrictions on gatherings and restaurants as the state is betting it will reach a 60% vaccination rate in the next few weeks. That should help with overcrowding and ease the problem some tourists have found of not being able to get dinner reservations or see some attractions.
Related: Fair warning, Hawaii is crowded again
Ige said, “The case counts are coming down. People are getting vaccinated. And there are fewer and fewer people who are at risk of becoming infected.”
He also said all COVID-19 restrictions would be lifted once the state reaches a vaccination rate of 70%. Right now, masks are still required indoors, but not outdoors.
Also, as of July 8:
- Hawaii restaurants can go to 75% capacity.
- Indoor events can have up to 25 people.
- Outdoor events can have parties as large as 75.
The governor cautioned that restrictions could be put back into place if there is a spike in cases or if there is evidence of new, more dangerous variants of COVID-19 spreading.
We’ve covered the full run-down of what you need to know prior to visiting Hawaii here.
Featured photo of Honolulu and Diamond Head by Clint Henderson/The Points Guy.
Sign-up Successful!
Welcome to The Points Guy!
Earn 50,000 bonus miles and 5,000 Medallion® Qualification Miles (MQMs) after you spend $2,000 in purchases on your new card in your first three months of card membership. Plus, earn up to $100 back in statement credits for eligible purchases at U.S. restaurants with your card within the first 3 months of membership.
With Status Boost™, earn 10,000 Medallion Qualification Miles (MQMs) after you spend $25,000 in purchases on your Card in a calendar year, up to two times per year getting you closer to Medallion Status. Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases and purchases made directly with hotels, 2X Miles at restaurants and at U.S. supermarkets and earn 1X Mile on all other eligible purchases. Terms Apply.
- Earn 50,000 bonus miles and 5,000 Medallion® Qualification Miles (MQMs) after you spend $2,000 in purchases on your new Card in your first 3 months.
- Plus, earn up to $100 back in statement credits for eligible purchases at US restaurants with your card within the first 3 months of membership.
- Accelerate your path to Medallion Status, with Status Boost®. Plus, in 2021 you can earn even more bonus Medallion® Qualification Miles (MQMs) to help you reach Medallion Status.
- Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases and purchases made directly with hotels.
- Earn 2X Miles at restaurants worldwide, including takeout and delivery and at U.S. supermarkets.
- Earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases.
- Receive a Domestic Main Cabin round-trip companion certificate each year upon renewal of your Card. *Payment of the government imposed taxes and fees of no more than $75 for roundtrip domestic flights (for itineraries with up to four flight segments) is required. Baggage charges and other restrictions apply. See terms and conditions for details.
- Enjoy your first checked bag free on Delta flights.
- Fee Credit for Global Entry or TSA Pre✓®.
- Enjoy an exclusive rate of $39 per person per visit to enter the Delta Sky Club® for you and up to two guests when traveling on a Delta flight.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- $250 Annual Fee.
- Terms Apply.
- See Rates & Fees
Disclaimer: The responses below are not provided or commissioned by the bank advertiser. Responses have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by the bank advertiser. It is not the bank advertiser’s responsibility to ensure all posts and/or questions are answered.
Editorial Disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airlines or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.