#Rapid covid testing for hawaii travel full

In order to facilitate travel as safely as possible, travelers may seek an exemption from quarantine. To reduce health risks of travel during this active pandemic, the State of Hawaiʻi has a mandatory 10-day quarantine for anyone entering the state - both residents and visitors alike. is clearly and frequently highlighted on all State of Hawaiʻi websites as well as many travel sites. However, it is highly recommended that travelers research and understand the rules in place for the location they plan to visit. We are sorry that Beke Lubeach and her mother Martha did not have a good experience on their recent visit. The Hawaiʻi Safe Travels team continually works to make Hawaiʻi's travel requirements during this ongoing pandemic clear through our messaging and on the website.

#Rapid covid testing for hawaii travel full

Here is the full statement from the state of Hawaii: In a statement, CVS said it was 'aware of the requirements' traveling to Hawaii and said travelers 'need to ensure they are selecting the proper test as required.' CVS would not discuss the Lubeachs' specific case. I said, 'it's got to be someone's problem,'' Martha said. When she got back home, Martha said she called the CVS location where she and her daughter got their COVID-19 test. So, we assumed it was all right,' Martha said. Hawaii says the requirements are in place to 'reduce health risks of travel during this active pandemic.'įor the Lubeachs', they wonder why they weren't made aware of the issues prior to their trip and how they were even able to get on the plane? I felt like the whole world was closing in on me,' she said.Ī spokesperson for the state of Hawaii said they were sorry about the Lubeach's experience, but said the state has made it clear that Nucleic Acid AmplificationTests (NAAT) are the only acceptable COVID-19 test to get into Hawaii.Īntigen tests, which is what the Lubeachs were given, are not accepted, even if negative. Finally, they contacted Hawaiian Airlines and booked a trip back to Phoenix the following day. I've got a bad leg, no way I could,' Martha said.įrom their room, the Lubeachs said they called Hawaii's SafeTravels program, the Governor's Office, and anyone else who would listen to their pleas. 'When I did open the door, security is standing there as close as can be as if I would try to run. If that did, they could have been fined or even arrested, she said. 'They said we lock you in a room and you can't come out,' she said. They were transferred to their hotel and told that they would have to quarantine in their room for the next 10 days.

'After 2 hours, security came and escorted us out of the place,' Martha said. She tried arguing the validity of her test, asked to take another test, and showed that they were both vaccinated, but officials at the airport would not budge. 'They said 'no, you can't come in, you got the wrong test,'' said Martha. Both tests were negative.īut, when they arrived in Honolulu, officials told them that they had received the wrong test. Martha and Beke said they received their negative COVID-19 tests at CVS and told the testers that they needed them for an upcoming trip to Hawaii.

Without it, travelers either have to leave the island and fly back home or undergo a 10-day quarantine. Her daughter, Beke, thought a stay on Waikiki Beach would have good for both of them.Ĭurrently, Hawaii requires travelers to have a negative COVID-19 test result within 72 hours of their departure, but only specific types of COVID-19 tests are allowed, something that has confused travelers before. She and her husband were married for more than 50 years. 'My daughter was taking me to Hawaii to celebrate Mother's Day and to celebrate my husband's birthday, who passed away seven weeks ago,' said an emotional Martha Lubeach. Martha Lubeach and her daughter, Beke, booked a tropical vacation to Hawaii, but when they arrived, they found themselves away from the beach and quarantined inside their hotel room.

PHOENIX - Nearly two million people flew over the long weekend ahead of Memorial Day, marking the busiest days at airports since March 2020, according to TSA data.ĭespite positive signs that the country is continuing to move in a positive direction - cases are down and millions have been vaccinated - some states still have COVID-19-related protocols and rules in place, something that travelers need to remember.