The CDC’s New Testing Requirement Does Not Affect Travel to Hawaii

In response to the new rule from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) requiring all air passengers entering the U.S. to present a negative COVID-19 test, the Hawaii Visitors and Convention Bureau issued a statement clarifying that “despite not being part of the contiguous United States land mass, Hawaii is very much a State and not subject to these new CDC international travel and testing restrictions.”

Hawaii’s Safe Travels Program, however, does have a testing requirement, but program participants who present a negative COVID-19 test are not subject to Hawaii’s 10-day quarantine. Travelers to Hawaii who do not choose to participate in the program are subject to a 10-day quarantine upon arrival.

In the statement issued on the CDC’s new rule, Hawaii Visitors and Convention Bureau included these highlights on the Safe Travels Program:

Pre-travel Testing

• All travelers ages five and older will be required to provide proof of a negative COVID-19 test in order to bypass the State of Hawaii’s 10-day mandatory quarantine.
• The test will need to be taken no more than 72 hours before the final leg of departure and results must be received prior to boarding.
• The State of Hawaii will accept test results ONLY from Trusted Testing and Travel Partners.
• Kauai: Trans-pacific travelers may participate in Kauai’s Enhanced Movement Quarantine (EMQ) at a “resort bubble” or travel inter-county after being in Hawaii for three days and retesting.

Safe Travels Program Registration

• Prior to arrival, adults (age 18 or older) are required to register with the State of Hawaii Safe Travels Program, and enter traveler information and trip details on the program’s application form.
• No more than 24 hours prior to departure to Hawaii, travelers must complete the Safe Travels Program health questionnaire and upload a negative test result (must be a PDF). Upon completion, travelers will receive a QR code.