Latest COVID-19 regulations for Hawai’i – March 2022
The good news is that the rules and regulations concerning COVID-19 requirements for traveling to Hawai’i, as well as general rules relating to COVID-19 on the islands themselves have been relaxed, as of Saturday March 26,2022. However, the Hawai’i Tourism Authority are keen to point out that while the rules are being relaxed, it remains important that visitors to and residents, alike, still exercise a sensible degree of precaution and remain vigilant.
Lifting of certain previous COVID-19 travel requirements in Hawai’i
From Saturday March 26, visitors to Hawaii who are arriving from the continental United States will no longer have to show proof of their vaccination status, nor take a pre-travel test. However, travelers arriving from international locations will still be required to meet all U.S entry requirements which means all travelers who are two years old or older will have to provide an up-to-date vaccination document and have a negative pre-travel COVID-19 test result, the test being taken within one day of travel. Alternatively, travelers will have to provide documentation showing they have fully recovered from being infected with the COVID-19 virus within the previous 90 days.
Safe Travels Hawai’i program
When the pandemic began Hawai’i introduced the Safe Travels program which was designed to prevent the spread of COVID-19 throughout the community. To date Hawai’i has had the second-lowest death rate from COVID-19, and the lowest number of incidents of the virus within the United States. As of March 26, the Safe Travels Hawai’i program will end.
COVID-19 mask mandates Hawai’i
The original mask mandate for all individuals outdoors has been lifted. However, you are still being advised to adopt a cautionary approach when involved with groups of people, when it is advised, but is not mandatory, that you still wear a mask.
It is also recommended that any compromised persons or if you are elderly, that you wear a mask when in the company of others, either outdoors or indoors.
While there is no longer a mandate that masks must be worn indoors, shops can retain the right to demand customers wear a mask if it is deemed in the best interests of staff, customers, or both. As a consequence, shops can still retain the right to refuse to serve customers who are not prepared to comply with any individual mask-wearing requests.
General caution and advice
The Governor of the Sate of Hawai’i has requested that while many of the restrictions have been lifted, it is still preferable to take certain measures to ensure your own wellbeing and that of others. This includes staying fully up to date with your COVID-19 vaccination and any booster, and that if you are feeling unwell and showing symptoms of a COVID-19 infection, you isolate yourself at home and have yourself tested as soon as possible.