Hawaii To Allow Skipping 14 Day Quarantine With A Negative Pre Travel COVID-19 Test Starting October 15

Hawaii governor David Ige has announced that starting October 15 travelers will be able to skip the mandatory 14 day quarantine period as long as they have a negative pre travel COVID test that is no more than 72 hours old. CVS and Kaiser Permanente have signed on to be part of this pre travel testing program but other partners will be added in the coming weeks as well. If travellers do not get their results before their arrival to Hawaii they will have to remain in quarantine until those results arrive. No tests will be provided at the airport and it’s also unclear if the testing partners are providing any gaurantees that the tests will be completed in time.  Alaska introduced a similar policy in June.

View Comments (27)

  • Lot of people here who feel crazy entitled to visit a particular state for a vacation. Not their fault you can't afford anywhere tropical that's fancier.

    • Hawaii is plenty fancy for me. And it is close by. I have no desire to fly 15 hours for a vacation, even in biz let alone in coach. Not to mention that most of the "fancy tropical destinations" are actually very poor countries dotted with enclaves for tourists.

  • Alaska COVID testing experience

    We just got back from Alaska yesterday. We tested with KP the after Labor day results back in 12 hours.

    We uploaded results to AK Travel portal. Airport COVID processing was efficient and checked our IDs after checking we had uploaded COVID results.

    Had an amazing trip. Think we might just plan another trip up this year in December instead of gambling on Hawaii.

  • Anyone know what time they plan to use for the 72 hours, or does anyone know how Alaska did this? The time your flight landed? Departed? What if you connected, which departure time?

    • Our recent trip - published rules:
      Alaska- flight 72 hours from departing airport (i.e. ex-PDX you test 9am Monday fly on ticket listing departure 9am Thurs).

      @guest_1056603

      • Thanks Yoni - that is very helpful. Have a trip booked to HI in November, but it’s looking less and less likely.

  • I dont get why some of these places cant follow the lead like Maldives where in addition to a prearrival Covid test, give another one on arrival and require the quarantine only until the results are back for the arrival covid test which should be couple days at most Would be great if the rapid ones were available though.

  • Yeah, that Gov has changed his mind 20 times. I had trips planned that I had to cancel after he remade the requirements. I wouldn't trust this now, either.

    • It's all part of Gov. Ige affordable housing plan, but he didn't know that you also have to have a job to get a mortgage in 2020.

  • The needle is always moving with Hawaii. Come October it'll be moved to November, then December, and so on. Just shut the place down until the point of bankruptcy and be done with it. I'm over Hawaii and I've never been there.

  • Is this like “aloha” where it has multiple meanings?

    (...Welcome to Hawaii! Don’t come! Do come! Later! Now! Never! Yes! No!)

    Wear masks. Wash hands. Save lives and the economy. There are plenty of naturally socially distant and enjoyable activities and places throughout Hawaii (and other states and countries). Shutdowns are pointless. Uncertainty kills. Lead responsibly!

  • Don’t believe that they will hold to this for a second. All it will take is mere discussion of a fall/winter flare-up and the deal will be off. Better to visit somewhere that has been consistent in their approach to tourism.