Kauai officially ending resort bubble experiment
Kauai's resort bubble is officially popped. Kauai will no longer require quarantine for visitors in a resort bubble. Kauai Mayor Derek Kawakami saying there is no longer a need since vaccine exemptions are going into effect.
The major issued an amended emergency rule ending the program as the County of Kaua'i enters "Tier 5" on Thursday, July 8. Hawaii is expected to reach 60% of residents vaccinated by this week.
Related: Everything you need to know about visiting a reopening Hawaii
Mayor Kawakami said, "As of Thursday, Tier 5 will allow gatherings of up to 75 people outdoors or 25 indoors. Restaurants, gyms, buses and attractions will be able to operate at 75 percent capacity."
He said Tier 6 isn't far behind, "Once Hawai'i reaches 70 percent fully vaccinated, we will move to Tier 6 and eliminate all restrictions."
Related: All inter-island restrictions lifted for Hawaii
The Hawaiian island had among the most restrictive COVID-19 restrictions of any of the Hawaiian Islands, as I reported back in January. In the early days of the pandemic, the island was off-limits to tourists altogether, but early this year, it instituted a mandatory 72-hour quarantine -- just one of the requirements of the island's then-new "resort bubble" concept.
Related: I spent three days wearing a tracking bracelet as part of Kauai's resort bubble
Kauai required a full 14-day quarantine before then since it decided not to participate in the state's "test-out program."
The program allowed tourists to book trips to one of six resorts on the island and stay in a "resort bubble" for three days before taking another COVID-19 test and then being released from quarantine.
Mayor Kawakami said, "The Resort Bubbles helped keep Kaua'i safe from community spread of COVID-19 by isolating travelers until they could take a post-arrival test, as recommended by the CDC," but he said the program is no longer needed.
If you are planning a trip, you can even get vaccinated in Kauai. Most pharmacies and clinics on the island are even accepting walk-ins. Visit kauai.gov/vaccine.
Related: Fair warning, Hawaii is crowded again
Visitors to Hawaii will still need to take the following steps (from 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 the 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.
We've covered the full list of what you need to know prior to visiting Hawaii here.
TPG featured card
at Capital One's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees.
| 5X miles | Earn 5X miles on hotels, vacation rentals and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel |
| 2X miles | Earn unlimited 2X miles on every purchase, every day |
Pros
- Stellar welcome offer of 75,000 miles after spending $4,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening. Plus, a $250 Capital One Travel credit to use in your first cardholder year upon account opening.
- You'll earn 2 miles per dollar on every purchase, which means you won't have to worry about memorizing bonus categories
- Rewards are versatile and can be redeemed for a statement credit or transferred to Capital One’s transfer partners
Cons
- Highest bonus-earning categories only on travel booked via Capital One Travel
- LIMITED-TIME OFFER: Enjoy $250 to use on Capital One Travel in your first cardholder year, plus earn 75,000 bonus miles once you spend $4,000 on purchases within the first 3 months from account opening - that’s equal to $1,000 in travel
- Earn unlimited 2X miles on every purchase, every day
- Earn 5X miles on hotels, vacation rentals and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel
- Miles won't expire for the life of the account and there's no limit to how many you can earn
- Receive up to a $120 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck®
- Use your miles to get reimbursed for any travel purchase—or redeem by booking a trip through Capital One Travel
- Enjoy a $50 experience credit and other premium benefits with every hotel and vacation rental booked from the Lifestyle Collection
- Transfer your miles to your choice of 15+ travel loyalty programs
- Top rated mobile app