Hawaii Program to Bypass Pre-Travel Testing or Quarantine Orders for Inter-Island Trips

Officials for the state and its counties have announced a program to make it easier for those completing the vaccination process in Hawaii to travel between islands.

The Vaccination Travel Protocol Program is set to begin May 11. Under it, travelers fully vaccinated here can avoid required COVID-19 testing prior to departure, and/or quarantine upon arrival. Those requirements will remain for trans-Pacific travelers.

Inter-island travelers would qualify starting the 15th day after completion of their vaccination process, officials said.

Travelers to arrive in Maui, Kauaʻi, and Hawaiʻi counties before they are fully vaccinated, or before the 15th day after the completion of their vaccination, will be placed into mandatory quarantine for the full 10 days; unless they meet the criteria for other exceptions (pre-travel testing and CISA). (The City and County of Honolulu does not have an inter-island travel quarantine order).

The new travel program is only available for those vaccinated in the State of Hawai‘i, because state government can verify vaccination information.

It’s part of a phased plan to allow the state to monitor and assess potential impacts to the pre-departure document check program, and screening procedures.

It also will let the state identify impacts to its virus transmission rates, and on its health care facilities, from the inter-island travelers. “As always, our number one priority is the health and safety of Hawai‘i’s people,” Gov. David Y. Ige said.

“I know many Maui residents have been eagerly awaiting this program so families who live in different counties can visit one another more easily,” Maui County Mayor Mike Victorino said. “It’s a positive step on our road to recovery and another good reason to be vaccinated.”

Upon launching May 11, here’s what to know for vaccinated individuals wishing to travel inter-county:

• Provide a CDC COVID-19 Vaccination Record Card with name, birthdate, type of vaccine, date(s) vaccine was administered and lot number(s) for each vaccine dose.
• Create an online account and register with the State of Hawai‘i Safe Travels Hawai‘i web program.
• Affirm they are fully vaccinated, and that the uploaded CDC COVID-19 Vaccination Record Card is accurate and authentic.
• Upload a PDF file or digital image of a properly filled CDC Vaccination Record Card to the Safe Travels Hawai‘i web program.
• Bring a digital image as well as the original CDC Vaccination Record Card along, in case you are asked to produce it.

At this time, the State of Hawai‘i is accepting only the CDC COVID-19 Vaccination Record Card or a printout from the Vaccination Administration Management System (VAMS). Vaccinated individuals who did not receive the CDC card or VAMS printout, must return to the provider that administered their vaccination, for a CDC COVID-19 Vaccination Record Card. State or territory Department of Health issued cards will not be accepted.

Further details, especially for younger travelers:

• Travelers age 5 and under may bypass quarantine requirements, provided they are traveling on the same itinerary as a parent/guardian who has met vaccination verification requirements.
• Travelers over age 5 who are not yet eligible for vaccinations may participate in the pre-travel testing program and meet county testing requirements if seeking an exception to mandatory quarantine requirements.
• Travelers ages 16 and 17 who are fully vaccinated should follow the vaccination verification requirements for adults.
• Travelers must continue to monitor for symptoms and must follow local county regulations – wearing a mask, physical distancing and hygiene practices.

A trans-Pacific (continental U.S.) program is still in development, officials said, and may begin this summer. An international program is anticipated later in the year.

For more information about the Vaccination Travel Protocol Program, visit here.

For information about the Safe Travels Hawai’i program, visit hawaiicovid19.com/travel/faqs/.