The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention today released updated guidelines for fully vaccinated travelers in the United States, saying those travelers are less likely to receive and spread COVID-19.
The guidelines include recommendations that fully vaccinated persons should not take a COVID-19 test before or after the trip, unless their destination requires it; and they do not have to self-quarantine.
The CDC further recommends that fully vaccinated travelers follow safety recommendations, including: wear a mask properly over your nose and mouth, stay within six feet of others, avoid congestion, and wash your hands or use hand sanitizer.
A person who has waited at least two weeks for a final dose of FDA-approved vaccine is considered fully vaccinated.
The current state guidelines require testing and quarantine
Under current state regulations, all trans-Pacific passengers arriving in Hawaii must be tested before boarding flights (within 72 hours prior to the final stage of their trip to Hawaii) or face a 10-day quarantine. on arrival. As part of 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 Enhanced Movement Quarantine (EMQ) approved “balloon” property . Starting April 5, Kauaʻi will join the trans-Pacific Safe Travels program.
- Travelers to Maui must download the AlohaSafe Alert app in addition to other requirements.
Trans-Pacific travelers arriving without a confirmed negative test cannot obtain a nucleic acid amplification test upon arrival in Hawaii.
The State of Hawaii ONLY accepts NAAT tests from certified laboratory test results. Laboratory Improvement Amendment from TEST AND TRAVEL PARTNERS.
Maui Now has contacted state officials for comments on plans going forward to see if changes to state rules will be made. We are currently waiting for an answer.
Hawaiian Airlines is requesting that the Safe Travels program be updated following the new CDC guidelines
Hawaiian Airlines issued a statement in response to the CDC’s updated travel guide, saying they are pleased with the guidance and hope the state will update its safe travel schedule to align with the recommendations.
“We are delighted to see today the CDC’s determination that fully vaccinated people can travel safely on the domestic market without testing or without having to be quarantined. We hope that the state of Hawaii will update the Safe Travels program to align with these recommendations. The CDC guidelines emphasize the effectiveness of vaccinations, as well as the comprehensive health and safety protocols adopted by the airline industry. Although we must all take personal responsibility to protect ourselves and others, it is time to restore freedom of travel to allow families and friends to reconnect and generate crucial economic activity. ”
The vaccine passport proposal faces challenges; Maui Mayor We hope for the second test proposal
Just days after submitting a proposal for a passport program for the Maui pilot vaccine, Mayor Michael Victorino said he did not look promising after further talks with the governor. “He does not seem to approve the passport (vaccine), but this has not been confirmed,” Mayor Victorino told a news briefing Thursday afternoon.
Under the program proposal, fully vaccinated people, with at least two weeks of incubation from the final vaccination dose, could avoid the state’s 10-day quarantine without having to take a test.
Mayor Victorino is also requesting a second test requirement for incoming travelers and is also awaiting the governor’s response. “Regarding a second test, he considers it very favorable, but he did not confirm this either. So I will say that I will wait until Monday (for) his decision. I demand a decision as soon as possible so that we can set up all our plans. I’m ready, but I’m waiting until we get their approval. It will take at least 7-10 working days to be implemented, so the faster 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.
The CDC’s recommendations for international travel differ from domestic flights
The CDC says that international travel poses additional risks, and even fully vaccinated travelers have an increased risk of obtaining and possibly spreading new COVID-19 variants. The CDC recommends delaying international travel until full vaccination.
According to CDC guidelines, those who are fully vaccinated with an FDA-approved vaccine and travel internationally should continue to be tested three to five days after the end of the trip. The CDC recommends that international travelers do not need to be tested before leaving the United States unless their destination requires it; and should not self-quarantine after arriving in the United States.
And this differs from the current rules for international travel in Hawaii.
Under current state regulations, travel from Japan, Canada and Korea to Hawaii can bypass Hawaii’s mandatory 10-day quarantine by providing a pre-trip test from a trusted test and travel partner 72 hours before departure. the last leg of the journey to Hawaii. Travelers from Japan, Canada and Korea who do not take 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 uploaded to Safe Travels prior to departure or printed prior to departure and a printed copy in hand upon arrival in Hawai’i.
There are currently no other enhanced entry options available for international travel to Hawaiʻi.