Dreaming of surf, sand, and fun in the sun?
Metro Vancouver residents looking to travel to Hawaii this fall and winter may do so without quarantining thanks to new rules south of the border.
The U.S.-Canada land border is set to re-open Nov. 8 after a 19-month freeze due to the coronavirus pandemic. But while U.S. border officials will not require a negative result from a COVID-19 test, all Canadians five years of age or older must provide proof of a negative molecular test to return home. Screening tests for work or travel are not covered by public health services.
In tandem with the reopening of the land border, Hawaiian Governor David Ige has announced that international travellers can now visit Hawaii without the mandatory quarantine.
“Thanks to the people of Hawaiʻi for their patience and for taking precautions to keep our communities safe," said Ige. "Our state continues to see one of the lowest incidences of COVID-19 and death rates related to the virus.
"As more and more people are vaccinated, we are moving to ease pandemic mitigation measures – including travel restrictions — in a way that ensures the health and safety of our communities."
Now, Non-U.S. citizens travelling directly to Hawaii from an international destination must present both a vaccination record and a negative COVID-19 test result (NAAT or antigen) within three days of boarding a flight to the United States.
Prior to the announcement, Air Canada and WestJet were considered "trusted travel partners" by the State of Hawaii and travellers were able to get tested through the airlines in order to skip the quarantine. Now, they won't have to go through the airlines in order to meet the requirement.
There will be no additional State of Hawaii requirements for passengers flying directly into Hawaii from an international destination. The airlines will screen passengers prior to their departure to the U.S.
If foreign passengers fail to meet both of the requirements and if U.S. citizens fail to meet one of the two requirements, they will not be allowed to board the flight. Once in Hawaii, the U.S. Centres for Disease Control (CDC) will conduct compliance checks.
Non-Direct International Travel to Hawaii
Starting Nov. 8, international passengers entering the U.S. from another state or territory will be treated as domestic travellers when entering Hawaii. The Safe Travels Hawaii program remains in place for domestic travellers.
Current Safe Travels Hawaii requirements for domestic travellers include:
- Creating a Safe Travels Hawaii account on a digital device
- Entering trip details
- Filling out a health form, and
- Attesting that all information is correct.
Currently, travellers who visit Hawaii via another U.S. state may bypass the state’s mandatory 10-day quarantine in one of two ways:
1) Upload a vaccination document; or
2) Upload a negative NAAT test result.
COVID-19 self-testing kits for travel
There are several clinics in the Lower Mainland you can visit to obtain a negative test result for travel.
COVID-19 testing for travel may cost upwards of $150 CAD per person, although prices vary. Find out more information about the process and some local companies that provide the tests.
For testing from the comfort of your home, a Canadian company sells portable self-administered COVID-19 molecular and antigen test kits to avoid the hassle of visiting clinics. Find out more information about the company and its self-testing process.
Check advisories for your destination
No matter where you plan to travel, make sure you check the Travel Advice and Advisories page for your destination twice: once when you are planning your trip, and again shortly before you leave.
Safety and security conditions may change between the date you book your travel and your departure date.
Find more information about entering the country with the Government of Canada's pre-travel checklists.
