COVID-19 (Novel Coronavirus)
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Follow us on Facebook for daily updatesGOVERNOR DAVID IGE URGES RESIDENTS, VISITORS TO CURTAIL NON-ESSENTIAL TRAVEL THROUGH END OF OCTOBER
On August 23, Gov. David Ige called upon Hawaii residents and visitors to delay all non-essential travel through the end of October 2021 due to the recent, accelerated surge in COVID-19 cases that is now overburdening the state’s health care facilities and resources.
Gov. Ige made the announcement at a media briefing, noting that, “Our hospitals are reaching capacity and our ICUs are filling up. Now is not a good time to travel to Hawaii.”
Gov. Ige added, “It will take six to seven weeks to see significant change in the number of COVID cases. It is a risky time to be traveling right now. Everyone, residents and visitors alike, should reduce travel to essential business activities only.”
John De Fries, president and CEO of the Hawaii Tourism Authority, noted that even though visitor arrivals overall are already starting to decline, as is historically the case in the fall, visitors should consider postponing their travels to Hawaii.
“Our community, residents and the visitor industry, are responsible for working together to address this crisis,” De Fries said. “As such, we are strongly advising visitors that now is not the right time to travel, and they should postpone their trips through the end of October.”
Dr. Elizabeth Char, director of the Department of Health, emphasized the urgency of the current situation. “The surge of COVID cases is mainly due to community spread, followed by residents flying to hotspot areas abroad and bringing COVID back into their households and community,” Char said. “If things do not change, our health care systems will be crippled and those needing medical care for all types of diseases, injuries and conditions, including our visitors, may find it difficult to get the treatment they need right away.”
Read the news release here.
SAFE TRAVELS HAWAII
The list of approved Trusted Testing Partners is available at HawaiiCovid19.com. Trusted Testing Partners with an "+" notation must use the Standard State of Hawaii TTP Results Form.
Read the FAQs here.
Email: [email protected]
Call Center: 1-800-GO-HAWAII
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Vaccination Exception Program for Hawaii-bound Travelers Vaccinated in U.S., Territories
The State of Hawaii launched its vaccination exception program for domestic, Hawaii-bound travelers vaccinated in the United States or U.S Territories. The program allows these travelers to bypass the state’s quarantine requirement with proof of vaccination.
Travelers vaccinated in the U.S. or U.S. Territories may participate in the exception program starting on the 15th day after their second dose of the Pfizer or Modern vaccine -- or starting the 15th day after their single dose of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine.
In addition, Hawaii-bound travelers should:
- Upload one of three vaccination documents to their Safe Travels Hawaii account, prior to traveling to Hawaii. One of the following documents must be uploaded:
- A CDC COVID-19 Vaccination Record Card
- VAMS (Vaccination Administration Management System) printout OR
- DOD DD Form 2766C
The Safe Travels digital platform is now allowing vaccine document uploads.
- Sign the online legal attestations on Safe Travels Hawaii, confirming the uploaded documentation is true and accurate.
- Bring a hard copy of vaccination documentation to show screeners at the gate prior to boarding and/or upon arrival in Hawaii. Screeners will review/verify the vaccination documents, match photo IDs, name and DOB as well as confirm that the attestations are signed.
NOTE: Children under 5 years old are not required to test and will not be quarantined if traveling with an adult who has a pre-travel test exception or a vaccination exception. Children 5 years and older who have not been vaccinated must participate in the Pre-Travel Testing Program and test with a Trusted Testing Partner to bypass the mandatory 10-day quarantine.
This program does not cover international travelers.
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State of Hawaii Lifts Mask Requirement for Individuals Outdoors
On May 25, Governor David Ige issued an amendment to the nineteenth emergency proclamation lifting the mask mandate for all individuals outdoors.
Mask wearing is still highly recommended outdoors, when in large groups. The indoor mask mandate remains unchanged.
The requirements of this statewide mask mandate are set forth by the emergency proclamation, which will be enforced in each county. All persons shall comply with applicable safety, hygiene and physical distancing guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) as well as with state, county, industry and regulatory practices for safety, hygiene and physical distancing, including standards and requirements adopted and issued by Hawaii Department of Health (DOH).
An owner or operator of any business or operation shall refuse admission or service to any individual who fails to wear a face covering, unless an exception applies under this section. Businesses or operations may adopt stricter protocols or requirements related to face coverings and face shields. Businesses or operations not enforcing this rule may be subject to enforcement, including fines and mandatory closure.
For more information on county rules, read the latest guidelines (City and County of Honolulu, Maui County, Kauai County, Hawaii County).
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AlohaSafe Alert App
The Hawaii Department of Health (DOH), in partnership with aio Digital and the Hawaii Executive Collaborative (HEC), has launched AlohaSafe Alert, the free State of Hawaii officially approved exposure notification app to help mitigate the spread of COVID-19.
Some key features of the app include:
- Participants may opt in/out at any time.
- The app allows smartphones to interact and exchange anonymous codes that are frequently changed, but it does not keep track of any geo-location or GPS data.
- Only DOH authorities will have access to data, and all data will be kept anonymous.
- Should you test positive for COVID-19, your identity is kept private from anyone who receives an alert, and their identities are kept private from you.
- AlohaSafe Alert is interoperable with other similar official notification apps in other states and those apps can also be used by visitors to Hawaii.
To download the free app, go to the Google Play or Apple App Store on your phone. For more information visit www.alohasafealert.org.
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