The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention today released updated guidelines for fully vaccinated travelers in the U.S., saying that travelers are less likely to obtain and disseminate COVID-19.
The guidelines include recommendations that fully vaccinated individuals would not need to have a COVID-19 test before or after their trip, unless their destination so requires; and does not need self-quarantine.
The CDC further recommends that fully vaccinated travelers follow safety recommendations, including: wearing a mask over your nose and mouth properly, staying two meters away from others, avoiding crowding and washing your hands or using hand sanitizer.
An individual who has waited at least two weeks since obtaining the final dose of the vaccine authorized by the FDA is considered fully vaccinated.
Current state guidelines require testing and quarantine
According to current state rules, all transpacific passengers arriving in Hawaii must be tested prior to boarding flights (within 72 hours prior to the departure of the final leg of their trip to Hawaii) or face a 10-day quarantine on arrival. In the Hawaii Safe Travel Program:
- Travelers to Kaua’i must receive a negative pre-trip test result before departure and a second negative test result after 72 hours at an approved Advanced Motion Quarantine (EMQ) resort bubble. From April 5, Kaua’i will return to the Transpacific Safe Travels program.
- Maui travelers must download the AlohaSafe Alert App, in addition to other requirements.
Trans-Pacific travelers arriving without a confirmed negative test are unable to obtain a Nucleic Acid Amplification Test upon arrival in Hawaii.
The state of Hawaii ONLY accepts TRUSTED TESTING AND TRAVEL PARTNERS NAAT tests of certified Clinical Laboratory Improvement Change test results.
Maui Now reached out to state officials to comment on future plans to see if any amendments to state rules would be made. We are currently awaiting an answer.
Hawaiian Airlines asks for update to the Safe Travels program following the new CDC guidelines
Hawaiian Airlines issued a statement in response to the CDC’s updated travel guidance, saying it is satisfied with the guidance and hopeful that the state will update its Safe Travels program to align with the recommendations.
“We are pleased to see the CDC’s current determination that fully vaccinated people can travel safely to the country without testing or requiring quarantine. We expect the state of Hawaii to update the Safe Travels program to align with these recommendations. The CDC’s guidance highlights the effectiveness of vaccinations, as well as the comprehensive health and safety protocols adopted by the civil aviation sector. While we must all continue to take personal responsibility to protect ourselves and each other, it is time to restore travel freedom to allow families and friends to reconnect and generate crucial economic activity. “
Vaccine passport proposal faces challenges; Maui Mayor hopeful for a second test proposal
Within days of submitting a proposal for a pilot vaccine passport program for Maui, Mayor Michael Victorino said he did not look promising after further discussion with the governor. “It does not look like he is going to approve the passport (of the vaccine), but that has not been confirmed,” Mayor Victorino said during a news conference on Thursday afternoon.
According to the program’s proposal, fully vaccinated individuals, with at least two weeks of incubation since their final vaccination dose, would be able to bypass the state’s 10-day quarantine without having to do a test.
Mayor Victorino is also requesting a second test requirement for incoming travelers and is also awaiting the governor’s response. “As for a second test, he is looking very favorably, but he has not confirmed it either. Therefore, I will say that I will wait until Monday (for) his decision. I am asking for a decision as soon as possible so that we can institute all of our plans. They are ready, but they will be on hold until we get their approval. It will take at least 7 to 10 business days to implement it, so the sooner we can get a response, especially if it is positive, the faster we can implement it. “
“I am really looking forward to a second test. I think this is possible ”, said Mayor Victorino.
CDC recommendations for international travel differ from domestic flights
The CDC says that international travel presents additional risks and even fully vaccinated travelers are at a greater risk of obtaining and possibly spreading new variants of COVID-19. The CDC recommends delaying international travel until full vaccination.
According to the CDC guidelines, those who are fully vaccinated with an FDA-authorized vaccine and are traveling abroad must still be tested three to five days after the trip is completed. The CDC recommends that international travelers do not need to take the test before leaving the United States, unless the destination requires; and would not need to be quarantined after arriving in the USA.
This also differs from current rules for international travel to Hawaii.
Under current state rules, travelers from Japan, Canada and Korea to Hawaii can bypass the mandatory 10-day quarantine in the State of Hawaii, ensuring a travel partner’s pre-travel test and confidence test 72 hours before departure in the final stretch of your trip to Hawaii. Travelers from Japan, Canada and Korea who do not obtain a negative COVID-19 test BEFORE departure will be subject to the same mandatory 10-day quarantine regulations as other trans-Pacific travelers to Hawaii. The negative test result must be loaded into Safe Travels prior to departure or printed prior to departure and a printed copy by hand upon arrival in Hawaii.
There are currently no other enhanced entry options available for international travel in Hawaii.