Lifting of quarantine beginning Aug 1 with confirmation of negative Covid test on arrival (apartment, hotel)

[whtviper1]

Starting Aug. 1, pre-testing program will allow Hawaii travelers to avoid quarantine.

https://www.hawaiinewsnow.com/2020/0...eopen-tourism/

The press conference was once again, painful. No partnership with CVS or Walgreen's announced.

Leaves me with many questions they need to address:

No test on arrival option at the airport - unlike Alaska. Will I be able to get a test of my choosing after I arrive as a resident?

Many states won't give tests for out of state residents - does that effectively block Hawaii residents? I do expect Boyd Casino's will set up rapid testing for Hawaii residents

Many Hawaii residents would like to go to the Mainland for a long weekend? Is this new announcement feasible?

I don't see the major hotel chains reopening with this announcement without much more details.

From the Governor's daily news digest:

Governor’s Office:

Pre-Travel Testing Option for Trans-Pacific Travel Beginning August 1

Gov. David Ige announced today all travelers arriving in Hawai‘i from out-of-state will be required to get a valid COVID-19 test prior to their arrival, and to show proof of a negative test result, to avoid the 14-day quarantine. The pre-travel testing program begins Aug. 1.

Out-of-state travelers arriving in Hawai‘i must get a PCR test prior to arrival from any testing location approved by the Hawai‘i State Department of Health. Evidence of a negative test result must be provided upon arrival in Hawai‘i. Without this, passengers arriving from out-of-state will be subject to the 14-day quarantine. No testing will be provided upon arrival at the airport.

DOH is still in the process of developing this program but anticipates requiring an FDA-approved PCR test from a CLIA certified laboratory. Travelers will be required to provide printed or emailed pre-test certification as evidence of a negative test result. Travelers will be responsible for the cost of the pre-travel test.

Temperature checks will continue at airports across the state. Anyone with a temperature higher than 100.4 degrees or who is experiencing other symptoms will be required to undergo a secondary screening at the airport with trained healthcare staff. In addition, travelers will be required to fill out the State Travel and Health form

[rya96797]

^

These buffoons probably still don't have a plan. They must figure they have a month to figure it all out....

Then when it actually rolls out, it will be a clusterf*** and they'll say something to the effect that they anticipated there would be a few glitches

[whtviper1]

Originally Posted by rya96797

These buffoons probably still don't have a plan. They must figure they have a month to figure it all out....

To make this an actual plan, all they had to say was:

1) We've partnered with CVS and Walgreens for expedited testing results which will be made available to travelers within 24 (or on the outside 48) hours of the test. Or, even say - we are working on a testing partnership with CVS and Walgreens, and we will have an update by July 10. This partnership will also allow Hawaii residents to receive a test for which they otherwise would not be able to receive.

2) Although they should have testing at the airport - they could have said: For those who could not get a test prior to travelling (such as Hawaii residents taking a short trip), Hawaii residents can get tested at designated testing sites, and upon a confirmation of a negative test, can end quarantine.

They've had weeks to put something together - it still isn't a plan with no details. Some visitors will figure it out. It is absolutely no plan for Hawaii residents. Most will be confused.

[KohalaTransplant]

Originally Posted by whtviper1

To make this an actual plan, all they had to say was:

1) We've partnered with CVS and Walgreens for expedited testing results which will be made available to travelers within 24 (or on the outside 48) hours of the test. Or, even say - we are working on a testing partnership with CVS and Walgreens, and we will have an update by July 10. This partnership will also allow Hawaii residents to receive a test for which they otherwise would not be able to receive.

2) Although they should have testing at the airport - they could have said: For those who could not get a test prior to travelling (such as Hawaii residents taking a short trip), Hawaii residents can get tested at designated testing sites, and upon a confirmation of a negative test, can end quarantine.

They've had weeks to put something together - it still isn't a plan with no details. Some visitors will figure it out. It is absolutely no plan for Hawaii residents. Most will be confused.

Yes, it is indeed confusing. I plan to travel to the mainland in August to take my son back to college and get him set up in new apartment. I looked into testing prior to my return. PA, for example, has partnered with Wal-Mart and Quest to provide free testing to any resident that wants a test. But, it appears there are no provisions to test out-of-state residents, even if they are willing to pay. So, it is not clear how I could avoid quarantine on my return.

Perhaps this just about enabling tourism, issues with returning resident not clearly thought out.

[whtviper1]

Avi Mannis/Peter Ingram - don't wait for the State of Hawaii to figure this out. You've got a real opportunity to set up testing stations or find a testing partner at the cities you that you fly - I don't see your competition even considering something like that.

[Nyfinestbxtf]

Originally Posted by KohalaTransplant

Yes, it is indeed confusing. I plan to travel to the mainland in August to take my son back to college and get him set up in new apartment. I looked into testing prior to my return. PA, for example, has partnered with Wal-Mart and Quest to provide free testing to any resident that wants a test. But, it appears there are no provisions to test out-of-state residents, even if they are willing to pay. So, it is not clear how I could avoid quarantine on my return.

Perhaps this just about enabling tourism, issues with returning resident not clearly thought out.

I’m in the same boat as well if we decide to stay.

[whtviper1]

Originally Posted by whtviper1

Out-of-state travelers arriving in Hawai‘i must get a PCR test prior to arrival from any testing location approved by the Hawai‘i State Department of Health. Evidence of a negative test result must be provided upon arrival in Hawai‘i. Without this, passengers arriving from out-of-state will be subject to the 14-day quarantine. No testing will be provided upon arrival at the airport.

Looking into this further - if it needs to be a PCR test, that eliminates rapid testing.

PCR tests are done at a lab. The more I read - I've resigned myself that this plan is not a viable plan.

From the CVS website.

https://www.cvs.com/minuteclinic/covid-19-testing

You must qualify to be tested due to limited supplies and CDC guidelines - Answering the question, why are you getting a test with a response of: I'm taking a vacation to Hawaii will likely not get you a test.

Like most places I've looked up - they only test residents where the testing is performed.

2-4 days for the PCR result.

Must be 18 and over - so don't bring the kiddos to Hawaii

Can't walk in, must be in a car

[whtviper1]

On Hawaii News Now at 5 today:

Josh Green claims:

Claims will have many testing options, talking to CVS, Kaiser, Walgreens

Wants to verify testing results with a national database which does not exist

Wants tests within 72 hours of arrival (CVS currently takes up to 4 days, must be 18 and over)

Thinks we will have 15,000 arrivals per day in the September timeframe - I see no chance of that unless this testing proposal changes dramatically

Cost of test, $100 - Green says that means only "serious" travelers would be coming to Hawaii

Did not address Hawaii resident challenges with testing

[prospectheightsresident]

Originally Posted by whtviper1

On Hawaii News Now at 5 today:

Josh Green claims:

Claims will have many testing options, talking to CVS, Kaiser, Walgreens

Wants to verify testing results with a national database which does not exist

Wants tests within 72 hours of arrival (CVS currently takes up to 4 days, must be 18 and over)

Thinks we will have 15,000 arrivals per day in the September timeframe - I see no chance of that unless this testing proposal changes dramatically

Cost of test, $100 - Green says that means only "serious" travelers would be coming to Hawaii

Did not address Hawaii resident challenges with testing

Yep. It may not seem like a lot in the grand scheme of things, but that adds up if you're traveling as a family and aren't made of money.

[whtviper1]

Originally Posted by prospectheightsresident

but that adds up if you're traveling as a family and aren't made of money.

Most testing places won't test for under 18 years old at this time. So the traveling as "family" becomes mostly moot.