Hawaii Officially Has Ended All Covid Restrictions Including Masks
Hawaii has now officially ended all of its remaining Covid-19 restrictions, including the islands’ mask mandate. The state had long since lagged behind those on the mainland, with strict Covid-19 rules enforced until quite recently and the mask mandate previously having shown no signs of being lifted. Thankfully for American travelers, those heading to the Aloha State from here on out will be able to benefit from the removal of all restrictions and a much more streamlined way to enter.
The long-awaited change in the state’s approach to its Covid-19 restrictions and entry requirements comes following a severe reduction in the number of Covid-19 related hospitalizations and deaths, in keeping with trends throughout the country. Here’s a look at what restrictions are on their way out, who the changes are set to effect plus a look at what the Covid-19 situation is like in Hawaii at present.
Hawaii Restriction Free – Information For Travelers
Like most of the US, Hawaii has been enjoying a spell of relatively low numbers of Covid-19 cases, hospitalizations and deaths. The state has a seven day average of just 103 daily cases – far below the almost 5,000 daily cases reported at the start of the year – and has recorded just 19 deaths over the last two weeks. Low figures, coupled with high vaccine uptake, has led Hawaii to be in a position to finally ease its Covid-19 related restrictions.
Hawaii’s much maligned Safe Travels system came to an end over the weekend, and with it came the end of the state’s pandemic-related entry restrictions. Now, travelers flying from the US to Hawaii are no longer required to show proof of vaccination in order to be able to enter. The requirement to show a negative Covid-19 test upon arrival has also been removed, making travel easier and cheaper for domestic arrivals.
The easing of these restrictions comes after Hawaii had already made several changes to its entry requirements, such as the removal of the quarantine requirement back in January and ending the need for passengers to show a vaccine passport to enter establishments on certain islands back in February. It might have taken longer than other states, but now Hawaii is completely restriction free.
Removing all of the state’s entry requirements isn’t the only significant change to have occurred on the islands. Hawaii has now officially removed its indoor mask mandate, becoming the final state in the US to do so when the change went live on Friday night. However, travelers should note that businesses may still choose to enact a mask wearing policy if they wish, and masks are still a requirement on public transport.
Hawaii’s Governor David Ige praised the Hawaiian people for their efforts throughout the pandemic, citing them as reasons why such changes have been possible.
“Hawaiʻi’s indoor statewide mask mandate will expire on March 25 at 11:59 PM when the current emergency proclamation relating to COVID-19 ends. It’s taken the entire community to get to this point – with lowered case counts and hospitalizations… I want to once again thank everyone for their hard work and commitment to keeping our community safe. I know this is a milestone many have been waiting for,” the governor’s tweets read.
Travelers should note that such changes are only applicable for travelers visiting Hawaii from domestic locations across the US. Travelers who are arriving on an international flight must still comply with US entry requirements. This includes the need for any travelers over the age of 2 – regardless of vaccination status – to submit a negative Covid-19 test result within a day of traveling, or to submit proof of recovery from Covid-19 in the last 90 days.
Source: https://bit.ly/3DkiPGs
