Hawaii County is extending its COVID-19 post-arrival airport testing program for trans-Pacific travelers for up to 90 days.
Hawaii County is extending its COVID-19 post-arrival airport testing program for trans-Pacific travelers for up to 90 days.
The county will continue the program until the state’s vaccination exemption program rolls out for trans-Pacific travelers, according to a statement this afternoon from Mayor Mitch Roth’s office.
The program, which has been in place since late last year, has seen a recent uptick in positive cases, prompting the island’s hospitality industry to seek partnerships to further fund the testing program, the statement said.
The statement did not disclose the partnerships or the amount of funding provided.
The program currently is under county contract and is slated to end on May 10, a day before the state transitions to its new interisland vaccine exemption program. Airport testing for trans-Pacific travelers will continue to focus on travelers who cannot provide proof of vaccination.
Travelers who are able to produce proof of vaccination, with the final vaccination date being at least 14 days prior to arrival, will be granted an exemption from the post-arrival test.
“We are extremely grateful to our hospitality industry for taking the initiative to seek partnerships in a greater effort to keep our island safe,” Roth said in the statement.
“As our island begins to see a steady influx of visitors, our hotels, small businesses, and other vested community members felt that the added layer of protection at our airports is vital to the overall safety of our residents,” said Craig Anderson, Island of Hawaii Chapter Chairperson for the Hawaii Tourism and Lodging Association.
