Hawaii has been one of the world’s strictest destinations during the coronavirus pandemic, but governor David Ige sees light at the end of the tunnel.
Ige said on 4 June that as long as Covid-19 vaccination rates in Hawaii continue to rise, he will end travel restrictions starting with flights between the Hawaiian islands.
Beginning 15 June, travellers will be able to fly freely inter-island without needing a Covid test or vaccination, according to the Hawaii Tribune-Herald.
Hawaii doesn’t have a great deal of residents and Ige, afraid that a steady influx of tourists would have spread the virus more easily through its population, put strict mandates on who could visit Hawaii and when.
But having a smaller amount of residents also means being able to vaccinate people more quickly. Ige said 52% of Hawaii residents are current fully vaccinated.
When the total vaccination rate reaches 60%, he said the Safe Travels programme will accept vaccination cards from anywhere on the mainland. This will allow travellers vaccinated anywhere on the continental US to travel to Hawaii without needing to take a Covid test or quarantine.
When the total vaccination rate reaches 70%, Ige said, all travel restrictions will be lifted, and the Safe Travels programme will be terminated.
Like other American states, Hawaii has been actively encouraging its residents to get vaccinated through various incentive programmes, including deals and discounts at certain Hawaii businesses and win prizes such as 1 million HawaiianMiles from Hawaiian Airlines.
Source: TravelPulse