Hawaii Will Add No Additional Requirements for International Travelers

Hawaii will loosen international travel rules starting next week, the same day that the federal government’s new international rules go into effect.

While the state has had one of the more strict domestic travel policies over the course of the pandemic, it will follow the federal guidelines with no additional requirements, according to Hawaii Gov. David Ige who spoke during a press conference this week.

The federal requirements will mandate all non-U.S. citizens to present proof of vaccination and a negative antigen or NAAT COVID-19 test within three days of boarding a flight to the U.S. Airlines will be tasked with screening international passengers prior to their flights to Hawaii, and to other U.S. states.

Those international passengers who are unable to provide proof of vaccination and a negative COVID-19 test will not be allowed to board a flight.

Hawaii’s Safe Travel program, which requires all non-vaccinated tourists to show a negative COVID-19 test taken at least 72 hours prior to departure, will remain in place.

Ige said that employees of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention will be conducting compliance checks on international passengers upon their arrival.

In a statement, John De Fries, president, and CEO of the Hawaii Tourism Authority (HTA), thanked Hawaii residents for their efforts to “to keep each other safe and keep our community healthy” during the pandemic.

“Thanks to your efforts, we can now continue the work of bringing Hawaii’s economy back to support our local small businesses and kamaaina working families,” he said.

“The recovery of Hawaii’s international travel market will be a gradual process extending well into next year and beyond, so we advise our tourism industry partners to continue being patient as visitors become accustomed to these new travel guidelines,” he added.

At the same time this week, Ige announced some relaxing of rules in Hawaii, which will bring the state even closer to normal just after the arrival of international guests.

Starting on Nov. 12, Hawaii will no longer restrict capacity or require masking at outdoor restaurants, bars, and social establishments. Rules for indoors, including social distancing between groups and mask requirements when not eating or drinking, remain in place.