Editor’s note: Coronavirus cases remain high across the globe. Health officials caution that travel increases your chances of getting and spreading the virus. Staying home is the best way to stem transmission. Below is information on what to know if you still plan to travel, last updated on October 1.
(CNN) — If you’re planning to travel to Hawaii, here’s what you’ll need to know.
The latest news
Hawaii has urged tourists to stay away from the state as COVID-19 numbers surge but has stopped short of barring people from visiting altogether.
“It is not a good time to travel to the islands,” Gov. David Ige said on August 23, urging visitors to stay away until the end of October. “The visitors who choose to come to the islands will not have the typical kind of holiday that they expect to get when they visit.”
Ige says tourists will face rental car shortages as well as limited access to restaurants.
Customers in restaurants, bars and social establishments must stay seated, with parties keeping at least 6 feet apart. Maximum group sizes are 10 indoors and 25 outdoors. Masks must be worn at all times except when actively eating or drinking. No mingling is allowed.
For all high-risk activities, indoor capacity is set at 50%. This includes bars, restaurants, gyms and social establishments.
These statewide limitations will remain in place until October 18 unless a new order is issued.
The basics
Hawaii has ended its pre-travel testing and quarantine requirement for domestic travelers if they’ve been fully vaccinated for COVID-19 in the United States.
Travelers must upload their CDC-issued vaccination card to the state’s Safe Travels Program website and have the card with them upon arrival as well. The documents are subject to scrutiny. Those found to have used a faked card will be sent home and also face up to a year in jail and a $5,000 fine.
Visitors age 5 and up who aren’t fully vaccinated must provide a negative result from a COVID-19 test taken 72 hours or less before the final leg of their trip. The list of acceptable test sources can be found on the Hawaii COVID-19 website.
People who can’t prove either vaccination or a negative result must quarantine for 10 days.
All tourists age 18 and up must also complete a Safe Travels Hawaii form upon booking a flight, and many will need to undergo a health screening on arrival. A couple of islands also require a second COVID-19 test upon arrival.
Restrictions on intercounty travel have been lifted, meaning no advance testing or quarantining is needed for travel between the Hawaiian islands.
What’s the COVID situation?
Hawaii has seen low Covid numbers compared with other U.S. states. Its 80,000 cases are about 56,000 per million, compared with 134,000 per million in the U.S. and 117,000 in California. Its death count is just over 800, or about 570 per million, compared with 2,176 per million in the U.S., 1,758 in California.
Having had some of the strictest lockdown and travel measures of any state, it began easing restrictions earlier this year — but the increasing spread of the Delta variant has spurred the state to once again tighten up on rules for social gathering.
What can visitors expect?
Honolulu Mayor Rick Blangiardi announced “Safe Access O’ahu,” which requires patrons and employees of restaurants, bars, gyms, movie theaters, museums, arcades and other types of establishments to be fully vaccinated to enter. There are a few exceptions. Among them:
— Customers with proof of a negative COVID-19 test result (molecular or antigen) taken with 48 hours of entry into the covered premises, along with another piece of ID.
— Children younger than 12 years old.
Maui is taking similar steps with its “Safer Outside” program. Some highlights:
— All social gatherings, with a maximum of 10 people, should be held outside.
— Inside social gatherings should be limited to five people.
— Restaurant, bars and other high-risk spaces should limit occupancy to 50% and close by 10 p.m.
— Proof of vaccination will be required for patrons 12 and older to dine indoors.
Maui is currently not considering testing as an option for patrons to dine indoors. The unvaccinated may dine outdoors or order takeout.
Restrictions vary by island, but masks are no longer required outside on a statewide basis. However, mask wearing is highly recommended when in a large group outdoors. Indoors, masks are required in public indoor settings unless you’re eating and drinking.
Parks and beaches are still open.
Useful links
Covid-19 State of Hawaii portal