Hawai‘i to Eliminate All Domestic COVID Travel Restrictions

Do you remember back in 2020 when many U.S. states had COVID entry regulations, including mandatory quarantine and testing (New York, Alaska, and Florida among others)? Gradually, states began to lift these pandemic-related entry rules for domestic travelers—except for one. Hawai‘i has remained the last state to enforce mandatory vaccine and testing protocols for incoming travelers from the mainland U.S.

However, that will change this month, as Hawai‘i Governor David Ige announced on Tuesday that the state will discontinue its Safe Travels program and quarantine mandate after March 25.

Starting March 26, travelers arriving from any domestic location will no longer need to present proof of COVID-19 vaccination or a negative pretravel COVID test. Additionally, they won't have to create a Safe Travels account with their personal details and trip information, according to the governor.

Governor Ige stated, "We initiated the Safe Travels program to safeguard the health, lives, and livelihoods of Hawai‘i's residents. The program implemented safety protocols that included a comprehensive screening and testing strategy that protected our communities during COVID-19 surges that posed risks to our most vulnerable citizens." He also noted, "Currently, we are witnessing a decline in case counts, and hospitalizations are decreasing."

Michael Victorino, the mayor of Maui County, attributed the state's achievement of having the "lowest COVID-related death rate in the nation" to the program and Hawai‘i’s vigilance.

Alongside the conclusion of the Safe Travels program, most COVID restrictions, including testing and vaccine passes for entry into venues, are also being lifted throughout Hawai‘i, except for a statewide mask mandate in indoor settings, which will remain in effect.

Travelers heading to Hawai‘i until March 25 must still adhere to Safe Travels requirements. Until then, vaccinated travelers must upload their vaccination certificate to the Hawai‘i’s Safe Travels portal at least 24 hours before departure. After completing the form, they will receive a QR code via email to scan at the airport upon arrival, either from their mobile device or a printed version.

They should carry a hard copy of their vaccination documentation to present during boarding and upon arrival in Hawai‘i, or provide digital vaccine certificates from Azova, Clear, or CommonPass.

Unvaccinated individuals can take part in Hawai‘i’s pretravel testing program to avoid the mandatory 10-day quarantine. Unvaccinated travelers (aged five and older) must present proof of a negative FDA-approved nucleic acid amplification test (like a PCR test) taken within 72 hours before boarding. Only results from approved clinics and testing providers will be accepted. The negative test result must be uploaded to the Safe Travels platform or printed out before departure.

Children under the age of five are exempt from submitting a COVID test or undergoing quarantine when traveling with an adult who is vaccinated or participating in the pretravel testing program. However, children aged five and older who are not vaccinated must join the pretravel testing program to avoid the otherwise mandatory five-day quarantine, which was previously ten days.

International travelers must still comply with federal regulations for entering the United States, which includes presenting a negative COVID test taken within one day prior to departure for both vaccinated and unvaccinated U.S. travelers. Additionally, foreign arrivals must be vaccinated according to U.S. government guidelines.