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Hawaii cancels booster mandate for travellers

Hawaii will not be requiring travellers to have booster shots on top of their full vaccination to visit the Islands, but the state's Safe Travels program will still apply.

Hawaii will not be requiring travellers to have booster shots on top of their full vaccination to visit the Islands, but the state’s Safe Travels program will still apply.

Last month Hawaii flagged 18 February as a potential date for adding being boostered against COVID-19 as a requirement to its Safe Travels Hawaii and Safe Access Oahu programs, according to Honolulu Mayor Rick Blangiardi.

However, the state’s Governor David Ige has recently confirmed that triple jab status will not be a requirement to enter Hawaii.

The state’s Safe Travels program will still be in effect.

Travellers who received their primary COVID-19 vaccination series at least 14 days prior to arrival, and those who provide an acceptable negative pre-travel test, will continue to be exempt from the mandatory five-day arrival quarantine.

The news follows an announcement from Maui Mayor Michael Victorino that Maui will be axing its booster requirement to be considered fully vaccinated.

Victorino said, “the showing of proof of updated vaccinated including boosters to dine in restaurants will no longer be required.”

Maui was the first in Hawaii to the three-shot rule, and it was met with criticism and backlash from those in the travel and hospitality sectors when it was announced, with one Maui board memeber saying it was “another nail in the coffin for them as small business owners and restauranteurs in Maui County.”

Hawaiian Airlines
Hawaiian Airlines

In January Hawaiian Airlines (HA) confirmed it will indefinitely suspend its Honolulu-Brisbane service, however, the airline has resumed a five-times-weekly service between Sydney and Honolulu for Aussies craving that Aloha spirit. 

Hawaiian Airlines says demand for Hawaii and Sydney-Honolulu service remains strong and promising for the year ahead.

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