Weatherboy

LT. Governor Green says this is a built-in safety feature of the testing scheme. He said as states surge and people in those states can't get timely tests, they won't be able to come to Hawaii. I dont think thats a prescribed feature but rather a lazy way of describing a deficiency in the program.

Weatherboy

The paper copy serves as a back up should something happen electronically on arrival. The order states:

"Travelers heading to Hawai‘i must upload their negative test result to the Safe Travels system prior to departure or, as an alternative to uploading, bring a hard copy of their negative test result with them when boarding their flight. The State of Hawai‘i highly recommends that all transpacific travelers departing for Hawai‘i carry a hard copy of their negative test result as a backup."

LIH Prem

I'm sure you know that's not how it works and why 14 days is actually required to make sure somebody doesn't have the virus. They aren't necessarily getting sick on the way to the islands. They probably were already infected, but asymptomatic and didn't test positive at the time they took the test for a variety of reasons.

The 72 hour test just means you didn't test positive for it at that test and they are hoping you don't have it.

There was always the expectation that some people are going to arrive infected even if they tested negative for it.

Kauai warned everybody early on that they would drop out of the program if they exceeded a relatively low threshold.

-David

ESpen36

Assuming the airline is willing to board you without showing test results, you technically could receive results in the air (or after landing, while the aircraft taxis to the arrival gate). But you MUST have the results uploaded to Safe Travels, or at least show a PDF from the test provider, when you walk off the jetbridge. You are rolling the dice...three scenarios could happen:

Scenario 1: Negative results that arrive in time - you are clear!

Scenario 2: NO results before walking off the jetbridge - you must quarantine for 14 days or the duration of your trip, whichever is shorter. However, if you eventually receive negative results, you can choose to change your ticket, fly home, and thus end the quarantine. But you would not be able to enjoy Hawaii.

Scenario 3: Postive results at any time (whether before landing or after) - you are stuck. You MUST isolate for 14 days. You cannot travel home (or anywhere), regardless of symptoms.

In my view, it's too risky to roll the dice.

bluedemon211

The CDC is working on guidance that the proper quarantine period may be 7-10 days followed by a negative test. The CDC said they have learned the likelihood of people actually staying in quarantine for 14 days is low compared to 7 days and then a negative test. When/if they change their guidance I'll be curious if our governor adapts or sticks with 14 days? Based on history, he is VERY slow to adapt. Time will tell.

mtofell

Flew PDX > OGG today and there was a slight change to the routine vs. a few weeks ago - the Alaska gate agent was checking QR codes BEFORE boarding. In the past you just had to produce it when you got off the plane in Hawaii. This could just be Alaska but I'm guessing they wouldn't be doing this unless they were being forced.

So, be sure you have completed your health questionaire on the safe travels app along with uploading test results. The questionaire (that ultimatley leads to you getting the almighty QR code) can only be done within 24-hours of departure and since I uploaded my negative Covid results +/- 48 hours I couldn't do it then and forgot. It just took a few minutes but was a but of unneeded last minute stress while trying to board (they well may have made an annoucement but I had headphones on most of the time at the gate).

ESpen36

Any change like this would take a while to work its way through the system. Right now, every agency/government uses the 14-day rule.

denver19

Is this every one's experience? You can fly to Hawai'i and quarantine, so I don't know you would need the almighty QR code to board.

BlueZebra

As mentioned elsewhere, AK has been doing a test protocol when flying from the Northwest to HI, checking the QR codes to mandate a negative test result prior to boarding. Not aware anybody else is checking the test results, but can see it coming.

denver19

I am not exactly a Libertarian, but I live in Hawai'i, pay property taxes etc. I am currently on the mainland, and if Vault doesn't come through I couldn't go home? This seems like some unconstitutional stuff. Could I grab a Netjet, and then quarantine? I really hope we don't get to that spot, but ya, I can see it coming too.

Doppy

This seems like a mandate of the airlines and not the state. So I don't see a constitutional issue.

And I think as this drags on and a vaccine comes out there are going to be a lot of places that start requiring a negative test or proof of vaccination to fly.

gregtay

No one said AS is REQUIRING a barcode/result to board the plane, simply that they were checking them at boarding. It is in AS best interest to ensure passengers without a test result know what they are signing up for when they walk down the jet bridge. Dealing with a pissed off customer in Hawaii who just got told to quarantine tune or go home just wastes everyone's time.

BlueZebra

Actually, in Seattle, AS IS checking, and clearing people before boarding, in a pilot program to clear the entire plane before arrival in Hawaii.

I think the constitutional issue is a state required pre-clearance by the airlines is an interstate commerce issue...the Feds would have to sign off. And, not sure the airlines want to be policing this, unless as in the case of international travel and checking passports and/or visas to determine if a pax is eligible to enter a country, and the airline is responsible to take the person back to the US if they aren't eligible. But an airline doesn't want to put a potentially sick individual right back on their plane...

S.R

Has anyone been successful using a rapid test from GoHealth Urgent care (results in 15 minutes?) Just want to make sure its the correct test: https://www.gohealthuc.com/travel-testing

It does not have to be PCR, correct?

Weatherboy

But my point is why does the island with the fewest number of travelers have the highest number of positive traveler? Kauai has a fraction of the Big Island's volume of travelers, but double the number of sick.