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IPFS News Link • Hawaiian Islands

Facing mounting economic woes, Hawaii to launch pre-travel testing program Oct. 15

• https://www.hawaiinewsnow.com

Gov. David Ige made the announcement Wednesday, saying reopening the doors to trans-Pacific travelers is critical to getting tourism-dependent businesses reopened and people back to work.

Under the program, travelers will have to test negative for COVID-19 no more than 72 hours before arrival to qualify for the quarantine exemption. Trans-Pacific travelers of all ages will be subject to the rule.

And at least for now, there will be no tests available at airports.

But key details must still be worked out, including the specifics on how the state would confirm that a negative test is valid and taken within the required window. The state did say it is contracting with CVS and Kaiser Permanente to offer the tests at the traveler's expense.

"The pre-travel testing program does provide an added layer of security," Ige said.


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