Hawaii cuts quarantine period in half as entry rules are updated again

Hawaii is making it easier for travelers to visit the islands by reducing its mandatory quarantine period in half, in line with recommendations from the US Centers for Disease Control (CDC). Effective today, the quarantine period has been cut from 10 to five days and visitors are no longer required to fill in a questionnaire 24 hours before their flight.

Previously visitors to Hawaii were required to submit an online questionnaire 24 hours before their flight to receive a QR code that is scanned at the border upon arrival. However, under the state's revised entry policy, travelers will receive an email with their QR code once their flight details have been sent to the Safe Travels Program platform.

Hawaii has also revised its quarantine policy so that domestic arrivals who do not meet vaccination or testing requirements in the Safe Travels Program are now required to spend five days in quarantine rather than 10. For travelers who are currently in quarantine, they can finish up their isolation period as soon as they've reached the five-day mark.

Despite the relaxed rules, Hawaii is dealing with record-breaking case numbers and some measures remain in place to halt the spread of COVID-19, including some capacity limits, social distancing and the requirement for people to wear masks in indoor public spaces.

If you have a trip booked to Hawaii, or are thinking about visiting, here are the latest rules.

As of November 8, fully vaccinated international visitors are permitted to travel to Hawaii provided they are fully vaccinated and test negative for COVID-19 no more than one day before traveling. Anyone aged 18 and over will need to register their trip details online through Hawaii's Safe Travels program portal and upload their test results before boarding their flight.

Americans can visit Hawaii regardless of vaccination status.

What if I'm not vaccinated?

Americans can travel to Hawaii regardless of vaccination status. However, international visitors must be fully vaccinated as per the entry rules for the United States. There are some exeptions, including children under the age of 17. Domestic travelers who don't meet the requirements of  the Safe Travels program must quarantine for five days or for the duration of their stay in Hawaii, whichever is shorter.

Anyone arriving at any of the islands' airports may be chosen at random to take a test but this will be free of charge and you won't have to wait long to get your results. And all travelers, regardless of where they're coming from, must register their trip details through the Safe Travels program or quarantine for five days.

It depends on the entry requirements of your destination. At present, travelers flying domestically within the US to Hawaii are not required the get a test before returning to the mainland US—something required by the CDC when returning from international travel.

Most venues are open in Hawaii, including hotels, restaurants, museums, bars and cultural attractions though some capacity restrictions apply. Masks are required in indoor public spaces, and social distancing guidelines apply too, though rules may vary slightly across counties.

Beaches and hiking trails are open across the state, and national parks are accepting visitors too, though not all services and facilities are up and running. Check ahead before planning a visit to see the latest rules. According to the tourism board, "National Park Service-managed parks, historic sites and memorials in Hawaii are gradually increasing access and services to their sites and facilities utilizing a phased approach". You can find a list of open and closed sites at the National Park Service’s Hawai‘i webpage.

O'ahu introduced the Safe Access O'ahu program in September. The program requires people over the age of 12 to present a vaccination certificate or proof of a negative COVID-19 test before entering venues such as restaurants, bars, museums, theaters, arcades and gyms.

Maui introduced a similar scheme that requires people to show proof of vaccination (negative COVID-19 test is not accepted) to dine indoors.