Hawaii has ended the Safe Travel Program for all domestic travelers regardless of their vaccination status, officials said today.
“The state is ending the travel quarantine and the Safe Travels Hawaiʻi program after the current emergency period ends on Mar. 25,” says the governor in a press release.
“Beginning at 12:01 am, Mar. 26, passengers arriving from domestic points of origin will not have to show proof of a COVID-19 vaccination or a pre-travel negative test result.”
In addition, “incoming passengers will also no longer be required to create a Safe Travels account or provide travelers information and trip details.”
State officials expect the end of the Safe Travels program to help attract more tourists in the upcoming months.
Note that overseas arrivals to Hawaii will still be subject to US federal law, which requires all air travelers aged two and up to submit a negative Covid-19 test taken within one day of entering the US.
Additionally, all tourists aged 18 and above must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 in order to fly into the country.
The countrywide indoor mask mandate is another restriction set to expire this week.
However, the Governor indicated that the CDC and the Department of Health continue to recommend the use while indoors for “certain populations.”
Masks will continue to be necessary at the airport and in some establishments. Individual businesses can also decide whether or not to demand masks.
“Hawaiʻi maintained its mask mandate and our consistency helped to keep COVID case numbers and hospitalizations as low as possible during the surge. It is also one of the reasons Hawaiʻi has the second lowest death rate in the country,” said Gov. Ige.
“We are watching disease activity closely across the state, the country, and globally, and we will adjust accordingly to keep our entire community healthy – from keiki to kupuna.”