by Audrey McAvoy
Associated Press
Hawaii Governor David Iger (Photo by Dallas Nagata White)
HONOLULU (AP) — Hawaii plans to lift COVID-19 quarantine requirements for travelers this month, meaning those arriving from elsewhere in the U.S. will not have to show proof of vaccinations or negative tests starting March 26 to avoid Self-isolate for five days.
Hawaii is the only U.S. state with such a coronavirus quarantine program.
Governor David Iger said in a news conference that the requirement saves lives and is a major factor in limiting the spread of COVID-19 on the islands. Hawaii has one of the lowest coronavirus infection rates in the country.
When Hawaii first imposed its quarantine in March 2020, the quarantine period for travelers lasted 14 days. The state later instituted testing and vaccination waivers.
Iger said the state has screened 11.3 million passengers since the test waiver was introduced in October 2020.
Those arriving in Hawaii from abroad must still follow U.S. federal guidelines, which vary by U.S. citizenship. International tourists are not required to quarantine, but proof of vaccinations and negative tests are still required.
The governor said he will maintain Hawaii’s indoor mask rule until at least March 25 and will evaluate whether to lift it after that. Hawaii was the last state in the U.S. to have a statewide effect.
Iger said the governor said the state Department of Health would review the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s recommendations before he makes a decision.
Iger said he wants to ensure that in-person learning can continue in public schools. With spring break coming, more people will travel, which could increase the presence of the coronavirus in schools, he said.
“The outbreak is not over. Sadly, we continue to see people we know and love continue to suffer from COVID-19,” he said.
The governor said he is proud of how the community has responded to the pandemic.
“It’s about all of us, people, places and cultures, who come from different backgrounds but always understand that there is a greater reason to be willing to sacrifice individual needs for the benefit of the community,” Iger said. “Time and time again, we’ve been willing to do it.”
