Hawaii to Ease COVID-19 Rules for Fully Vaccinated Tourists

Hawaii will drop COVID-19 testing and quarantine rules for fully vaccinated travelers from the U.S. mainland in two weeks, Gov. David Ige announced Thursday.

When the restrictions are lifted on July 8, visitors using the quarantine exemption will have to upload their vaccination cards to a state website and bring a hard copy of their vaccination card with them, the Associated Press reported. Travelers must be two weeks beyond their final vaccine dose to be eligible for the exemption. Visitors who are not vaccinated will still have to produce a negative coronavirus test before flying to Hawaii.

Ige recently said the state is expected to reach a 60 percent vaccination rate among all residents by July 8, a target he had previously set for allowing more vaccination travel exemptions, the APreported.

On July 8, restaurants will also be able to seat up to 75 percent of their capacity, although social distancing rules between tables will stay in place, the governor said. People will also need to wear masks when indoors, but face coverings will not be necessary outdoors, the AP reported. Ige added that he will drop all pandemic restrictions when the state reaches a 70 percent vaccination rate.