And now we have Hawaii.
Vaccinated U.S. travelers will no longer be required to be tested or go through quarantine if they want to visit the island state, beginning on July 8. It’s welcome news, considering last year at this time visitors had to quarantine for up to two weeks (and then the state pretty much went back to not allowing visitors).
As Hawaii Gov. David Ige noted on social media, “Hawaii will accept vaccination records from other states and US territories to bypass quarantine/pre-travel testing. Social gatherings will increase to 25 indoors and 75 outdoors statewide. Restaurants can also increase to 75% capacity.”
So while there are still plenty of restrictions in place — like the number of people who can be inside or outside an establishment — it’s a bit easier to visit. The change is due to Hawaii being on track to hit a 60% fully vaccinated rate by July 8.
Still, even government officials are being cautiously optimistic. “With news of the Delta variant spreading in our state it is clear that the threat of COVID is not over, but we now have the tools we need to protect ourselves and others,” as Mayor Derek Kawakami of Kaua’i County said in a statement. “Please continue to be responsible in wearing masks and keeping your distance while in crowded spaces and get vaccinated if you are able.”
Travelers to Hawaii must upload their CDC issued vaccination record card to the state’s Safe Travels Program website and have that card with them upon arrival.
As The Points Guy travel site notes, all COVID-19 restrictions in Hawaii (masks indoors, capacity limits) will be lifted when that fully vaccinated number reaches 70%.
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