It is an exciting day for Hawaii tourism. Hawaii has the strictest entry requirements during the Pandemic. Hawaii was shut down to domestic visitors for many months at the start of the Pandemic, and until now the state has required either vaccine or testing before travel. As of today, that has changed.
The governor of Hawaii, David Ige, announced in March that the Safe Travels program would end for arrivals on March 26, 2022. Travelers have to fill out a form before they can go to Hawaii, uploading either proof of vaccination or a negative coronaviruses test.
There is no need to create a Safe Travels account or provide traveler information as of today. International visitors have to provide proof of a negative test within one calendar day of travel in order to enter the United States.
The decision to end the Safe Travels program was described by Governor Ige.
“We started the Safe Travels program to protect the health, lives, and livelihoods of the people of Hawaiʻi. The program put in place safety protocols that included a multi-layered screening and testing approach that kept our communities safe during the COVID-19 surges that endangered the most vulnerable of our citizens. Right now, we are seeing lower case counts, and hospitalizations are coming down.”
Hawaii has finally eliminated this requirement. I understand that Hawaii faces some unique challenges, but I think it's time for things to return to normal after two years of the Pandemic in the United States.
When I was in Hawaii in May of 2021, you had to bevaccinated and take a test. It was frustrating because you could only get a test from a select group of providers. Hawaii started accepting testing for entry in July of 2021. Proof of vaccine was enough for me to visit Hawaii earlier this month.
Testing for coronaviruses is important, but it has been frustrating that the cost of testing in many places is still outrageously high.
The state of Hawaii has also lifted its indoor mask mandate. Hawaii was the last state to have a mask mandate for indoor settings.
I am happy to see this as well. Hawaii's enforcement of mask mandates was unlike anything I've seen before. When I traveled to Hawaii in May 2021, the mandate was enforced when I worked out alone in the gym or outdoors.
I wouldn't be surprised to see the state reimpose this mandate if there is a surge in cases. Time will tell.
Hawaii has lifted its domestic travel restrictions after two years of the Pandemic, meaning that vaccinations and testing are no longer required in order to visit the state. It's great news that this will make it easier to plan a trip to Hawaii.
The indoor mask mandate has been lifted by the state. Hawaii was the last state to do this.
What do you think about Hawaii ending the Safe Travels program?
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