Hawaii Safe Travels Program is a health and safety program created by the Hawaii Tourism Authority in response to the spread of the novel coronavirus and other infectious diseases. The program, which was first implemented in 2020, is designed to protect travelers to the Hawaiian Islands and ensure their safety while vacationing on the islands. The program set forth guidelines and protocols for travelers, such as a negative COVID-19 test within 72 hours of arriving in Hawaii, reduced occupancy limits for hotel rooms, mandatory use of face masks in public areas, and enforced physical distancing at all times. Widely adopted and coordinated by the State of Hawaii’s Department Of Health, and the counties of Hawaii, Hawaii Safe Travels is designed to ensure that Hawaii remains a safe and desirable vacation destination for visitors.
The Hawaii Safe Travels Program is administered by a combination of physical measures and mandatory digital systems designed to protect travelers, other travelers, and Hawaii's local population. The program requires visitors to fill out a health questionnaire and upload a negative COVID-19 test result before they can travel to Hawaii. This health questionnaire is used to verify that travelers have not been exposed to or are not infected by the virus and also to determine if additional quarantine rules must be followed. Additionally, travelers must upload the necessary documentation and voluntarily sign a traveler form acknowledging that Hawaii has implemented travel restrictions and safety protocols. Only upon successful completion of all of the necessary paperwork is a traveler given permission to travel.
Once approved to travel to Hawaii, visitors are required to check in at the airport and present their approved documentation to airport personnel. Public transportation within Hawaii is also restricted and subject to physical distancing requirements as capacity limits dictate. Companies offering rideshare services, such as Uber and Lyft, are permitted, but must also follow safety protocols. At the hotel, travelers must verify their identity and show their travel paperwork before being allowed to enter and must also adhere to safety protocols established by the hotel. These safety protocols include the wearing of face masks and physical distancing in shared areas.
To help ensure the safety of travelers, the Hawaii Safe Travels Program also gives visitors access to a variety of contactless services. These include digital concierge services to help travelers book activities, rental vehicles, and dining experiences; virtual check-ins to reduce wait times; and cashless payments accepted as a form of payment.
The Hawaii Safe Travels Program is an important measure in ensuring the safety and well-being of all those vacationing on the islands. By requiring travelers to adhere to safety protocols and by providing contactless services, visitors can rest assured that their visit to Hawaii will be as safe and enjoyable as possible.
