By Alfred Acenas
EBC Hawaii Bureau
HONOLULU (Eagle News) – Interisland travel within the Hawaiian Islands without the 14-day quarantine begins on Tuesday, June 16, 2020. The Department of Health (DOH) describes this change as “a major step forward on the state’s road to economic recovery.”
Passengers on flights between the islands are now required to complete a new form before they board a plane for interisland flights. They must also have their temperatures checked at the airport.
The DOH further stated, “Through everyone’s cooperation with practicing physical distancing and complying with other safeguards, Hawaii has achieved encouraging outcomes to date. We must continue to balance economic recovery with public health and safety.”
As the Aloha State begins to reopen, the DOH has been in collaboration with the Hawaii Emergency Management Agency (HIEMA), Hawaii Department of Transportation (HDOT) and other state and federal government agencies in introducing new policies and practices to ensure Hawaii continues along a positive path to keep everyone safe.
Public health officials have provided some tips when accomplishing the traveler health form:
- Providing honest and complete answers will help ensure timely follow up and contact tracing as well as identify travelers who may benefit from testing and health information. The health information may be filled in ahead of flight time but no more than 24 hours in advance. The more current the information, the more useful it will be.
- The fillable PDF form should take no more than two to five minutes to complete if one’s information is readily available. Each passenger will complete the form, print it and bring it along to the airport screener prior to boarding.
- For those unable to fill out the form and print it before arriving at the airport, they can complete it while at the airport. Travelers are strongly encouraged to arrive earlier to the airport to allow time to accomplish this procedure.
In addition, the state government recommends the following to be well-prepared for travel between the islands:
- 24 Hours before flight
– Check in with your airline.
– Fill out the mandatory traveler health form. - Three hours before flight
– Enter health screening checkpoint.
– Complete TSA check. - During flight
– Follow specific guidance from the airline regarding physical distancing, mask wearing, and sanitation process. - When deplaning
– Follow guidance from your airline regarding physical distancing and mask wearing.
Governor David Ige later commented on Twitter, “I know family and friends across the state are looking forward to getting together when the interisland travel quarantine is lifted. Flying between islands will be a different experience. We ask for your patience as the new procedures are implemented.”
More information is available at
https://health.hawaii.gov/travel/traveler-health-form/
(Eagle News Service)