Governor David Ige has approved the County of Hawaii’s plan to require incoming trans-Pacific passengers to take a second COVID-19 test.  The plan will begin on Thursday, Oct. 15, the same day the state’s pre-travel test will become effective, with passengers presenting a negative NAAT COVID-19 test taken within 72 hours of the Hawaii departing flight may avoid the 14-day mandatory quarantine as currently required by the state.

Hawaii County Mayor Harry Kim today released his COVID-19 Emergency Rule No. 12, which says that all trans-Pacific travelers coming to the island, even with the negative test to meet State requirements,  must take a second COVID-19 test upon arrival at the airport on the Big Island.  The test will given at a location close to the airport at County expense.  The proclamation says while waiting for results, passengers will not be required to quarantine.  Any positive tests will be referred to the State Department of Health.  However, the Mayor’s office issued a later press release, saying “Testing will be managed by Hawai‘i County Civil Defense Agency staff and administered by Premier Medical Group Hawai’i.  This antigen test will provide results within 15-20 minutes.  If a traveler tests negative for COVID-19, they will not be subject to self-quarantine.  Those testing positive for COVID-19 will be required to take a subsequent PCR test immediately and will be required to self-quarantine per State Department of Health rules while awaiting those results of this test, which are expected within 36 hours.”

The tests will be administered at all three Hawai’i Island airports:  Ellison Onizuka International Airport at Keahole, Waimea-Kohala Airport, and Hilo International Airport.

If the incoming traveler does not have results of their pre-travel test, they must take the second test at the Big Island airport and must quarantine until the results are received.

The only exception to the trans-Pacific 14-day quarantine without the 72-hour pre-test is somebody who is considered an essential worker, and granted an exemption via travelexemption.hawaii.gov

There is no such pre-test or post arrival test for interisland travel to the Big Island.  Kaua’i and Maui County have both agreed to accept the 72-hour pre-test, and they will allow any interisland travelers who take a test 72 hours in advance to bypass the interisland 14-day quarantine.

Gov. Ige said Hawaii County Mayor Kim is focused on trans Pacific travelers, not on interisland travelers at this time.  Ige said he’s continuing to discuss the interisland travel plan for the Big Island.   He also said Mayor Kim is concerned because the island’s ICU beds are currently 88% full.

Anybody wishing to request an exemption from the Big Island’s 14-day interisland travel quarantine may request such at least 5 days in advance by clicking here.

For the Mayor’s full Proclamation, click below:

2020-10-12-Amendment-to-Mayors-COVID-19-Emergency-Rule-12-signed-and-certified