Travelers who wish to apply for an exemption to the trans Pacific 14-day quarantine because they are critical medical or infrastructure workers may now apply for the exemptions online. The 14-day quarantine was established as a way to help control COVID-19 in the state.
Although each neighbor island has its own exemption form, Hawaii County Civil Defense Administrator Talmadge Magno said the County will honor the State online form, and that anybody coming in from out of state need only fill out the State form.
Anybody traveling interisland only who wishes to apply for an exemption must still follow the requirements of the county to which they are traveling. There is no interisland quarantine right now for people flying interisland to O’ahu.
The new online form became available on Saturday, Sept. 19.
Previously those seeking exemptions, such as critical medical or infrastructure workers had to communicate with, and provide information to, the State via emails. The new online form and submission system will mean more efficient interactions with exemption seekers, better data gathering and access for decision makers.
Currently, exempt travelers will still have to provide an e-mail approval documenting exempt status at State airports. Work is already underway to synchronize the exemption digital platform with Hawai’i’s SafeTravels platform for a more integrated and seamless experience. This applies to all trans-Pacific travel.
People who who receive approval for the modified quarantine exemption are still required to self-quarantine when they are not performing their approved essential functions. This means they may only break self-quarantine to perform their critical infrastructure duties and not for grocery shopping, outdoor exercise, or anything else outside their self-quarantine location.
Exemption seekers should fill out their requests online as well as review a list of frequently asked questions (FAQs) at: travelexemption.hawaii.gov
Anybody traveling interisland only who is requesting an exemption should go to the following sites to learn how each county is handling exemptions and submit a request:
Maui and Kalawao County (Maui, Lanaʻi, Molokaʻi)
