The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention today released updated guidelines for fully vaccinated travelers within the US, stating that these travelers are less likely to get and spread COVID-19.
The guidelines include recommendations that fully vaccinated individuals should not undergo a COVID-19 test before or after travel unless their destination requires it; and do not need to be quarantined.
The CDC still recommends that fully vaccinated travelers follow safety recommendations, which include: wear a mask properly over the nose and mouth, stay 6 feet away from others, avoid crowds, and wash hands or use hand sanitizer.
A person who has waited at least two weeks since receiving a final dose of the FDA-approved vaccine is considered fully vaccinated.
Current guidelines require testing and quarantine
Under current state regulations, all trans-Pacific passengers arriving in Hawai’i must be tested before boarding (within 72 hours prior to departure of the last leg of their journey to Hawai’i) or quarantined for 10 days upon arrival . Under Hawaii’s Safe Travels Program:
- Travelers to Kaua’i must receive a negative test result before departure and a 2nd negative test result after 72 hours at an approved Enhanced Movement Quarantine (EMQ) ‘resort bubble’ accommodation. Starting April 5, Kaua’i will return to the Safe Travels trans-Pacific program.
- Travelers to Maui must download the AlohaSafe Alert app, among other requirements.
Trans-Pacific travelers arriving without a confirmed negative test will not be able to receive a nucleic acid amplification test upon arrival in Hawai’i.
The State of Hawai’i ONLY accepts NAAT tests from certified clinical laboratory improvement laboratory test results from TRUSTED TESTING AND TRAVEL PARTNERS.
Maui now reached out to state officials for comment on future plans to see if any changes to state rules would be made. We are currently waiting for a response.
Hawaiian Airlines is calling for an update to the Safe Travels program according to new guidelines from the CDC
Hawaiian Airlines has issued a statement in response to updated travel guidance from the CDC stating that they are satisfied with the guidance and are hopeful that the state will update its Safe Travels program to be consistent with the recommendations.
“We are delighted to see today’s CDC determination that fully vaccinated people can safely enter without testing or quarantine. We are hopeful that the State of Hawai’i will update the Safe Travels program to bring it in line with these recommendations. The CDC’s guidelines underscore the effectiveness of vaccinations, as well as the comprehensive health and safety protocols adopted by the aviation industry. While we must all continue to take personal responsibility to protect ourselves and each other, it is time to restore freedom of travel so that families and friends can reconnect and generate vital economic activity. “
Vaccine Passport Proposal Faces Challenges; Maui Mayor Hopeful of second testing proposal
Just days after submitting a proposal for a pilot vaccine passport program for Maui, Mayor Michael Victorino said it doesn’t look promising after further discussions with the governor. “It does not look like he will approve the (vaccine) passport, but that has not been confirmed,” Mayor Victorino said at a press conference on Thursday afternoon.
Under the program proposal, fully vaccinated individuals, with at least two weeks of incubation since their last vaccination dose, could bypass the state’s 10-day quarantine without having to take a test.
Mayor Victorino is also asking for a second test requirement for arriving travelers and also awaiting a response from the governor. “As for a second test, he is very positive about it, but he has not confirmed that either. So I will say that I will wait until Monday (for) his decision. I ask for a decision as soon as possible so that we can carry out all our plans. They are ready, but they are waiting for us to get their approval. It takes a minimum of 7-10 business days for it to be implemented, so the sooner we can get a response, especially if it’s positive, the sooner we can implement it. “
“I am really looking forward to a second test. I think it can be done, ”said Mayor Victorino.
CDC recommendations for international travel differ from domestic flights
The CDC says international travel carries additional risks and that even fully vaccinated travelers are at an increased risk of getting and potentially spreading new COVID-19 variants. The CDC recommends postponing international travel until fully vaccinated.
According to CDC guidelines, those fully vaccinated with an FDA-authorized vaccine and traveling internationally should still be tested three to five days after completing the trip. The CDC recommends that international travelers should not be tested before leaving the US unless their destination requires it; and should not need to be quarantined upon arrival in the US.
This also differs from the current rules for international travel to Hawai’i.
Under current state regulations, travelers from Japan, Canada and Korea to Hawaii can bypass the mandatory 10-day quarantine of the state of Hawaii by having a trusted test and travel partner tested on the last leg of their journey 72 hours prior to departure. trip to Hawai’i. Travelers from Japan, Canada and Korea who do not pass a negative COVID-19 test BEFORE departure will be subject to the same mandatory 10-day quarantine regulations as other trans-Pacific travelers to Hawai’i. The negative test result must be uploaded to Safe Travels before departure or printed and kept on paper upon arrival in Hawai’i.
At this time, no other enhanced access options are available for international travel in Hawai’i.