There are several things you need to be aware of when going to Hawaii. The first thing is that you need to make sure you have your passport ready to go. You also need to ensure you have the proper vaccinations. Currently, if you have a current, up-to-date vaccination certificate, you will not need to have a booster shot. If you are traveling to Hawaii from a country where you do not have a current, up-to-date vaccine, you need to make sure you have all of your documents with you.
Mandatory 5-day self-quarantine
If you’re planning a trip to Hawaii, you’re likely aware that you’ll need to self-quarantine for five days before leaving the state. That’s one of the only times you’ll need to wear a face covering, and if you don’t follow the rules, you could face a fine or closure.
There’s also the Vaccine Passport program, which exempts travelers from COVID-19 quarantine. However, you’ll need to observe all of the rules. You’ll need to submit a vaccination record to the Safe Travels Hawaii website, and you’ll need to take a temperature test at the airport.
Additionally, the state issued a combined Tri-State incoming travel advisory. These guidelines apply to travelers from New York, Connecticut and New Jersey.
The new emergency rules are effective October 15, 2020 through October 31, 2020. The state will accept a Nucleic Acid Amplification Test from only certified laboratories. Those who receive a negative test result can avoid a quarantine.
Booster shots will not be required for “up-to-date” vaccination status for individuals traveling to Hawaii
Hawaii is planning to change its Safe Travels program, which will no longer require travelers to have proof of booster shots. Governor David Ige announced changes in January. He said the policy would be implemented within two weeks.
The Safe Travels program was designed to protect the health and safety of visitors to the islands. It required non-vaccinated visitors to undergo a five-day quarantine. Visitors from other states who had completed an initial vaccination series could bypass the quarantine, while domestic travelers were considered fully vaccinated after 15 days of receiving the second dose of the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine.
In the future, the Safe Travels program may require travelers to have a COVID-19 booster shot. The state hasn’t decided if it will be necessary for those who have already received their first booster.
As of now, travelers who have already received their first dose of the COVID-19 Vaccine need only provide proof of their negative test. However, the governor recently said that the state will reconsider requiring a booster.
Preparing for airport processing
The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) is preparing for the busiest summer travel season ever. With a projected 4% increase in travelers, TSA expects to set new airport screening records.
In addition to checking bags and ensuring all passengers are vaccinated, the TSA recommends arriving early for flights. This will allow time to secure a parking spot, pass security checkpoints, and have luggage checked.
To avoid unnecessary delays and hassles, you should know the airport screening requirements in Hawaii. There is an application you can use to prepare for your trip and receive important information.
Hawaii Safe Travels is a program that was launched to help travelers get to and from the islands more quickly and safely. It requires you to fill out a health questionnaire and upload a COVID-19 test result. You can also download an app to access your test results.
Hawaii’s pre-travel testing program has effectively opened the state up to visitors. However, as with any new program, you need to be prepared to meet the minimum requirements.
Scammers taking advantage of the program
Scammers are taking advantage of travelers in Hawaii. These scams include bogus airline ticket scams, bogus door-to-door tests, and counterfeit product offers. The Hawaii Office of Consumer Protection (OCP) is warning consumers about the dangers of these scams.
The OCP’s executive director is Stephen Levins. “Scammers are very familiar with the patterns of consumer buying habits,” he says. They are also becoming more tech-savvy. So, they can spoof websites to look like legitimate booking platforms. And because of the nature of these scams, they can make a call or send a text to your phone with a fake caller ID or a spoofed caller’s name.
One of the latest scams involves an email. Individual claims to be a bailiff or a court employee. They then instruct the victim to click a link to confirm the trial. When the victim does, it crashes their computer. In addition, the email tells the victim to bring all documents related to the case. This is all a ploy to get the victim to pay for a bogus vaccine.
