Ige announces imminent end to all travel restrictions, free interisland travel to resume June 15

Subscribe Now Choose a package that suits your preferences.
Start Free Account Get access to 7 premium stories every month for FREE!
Already a Subscriber? Current print subscriber? Activate your complimentary Digital account.

Gov. David Ige announced today that the state will lift all travel restrictions once vaccination rates are high enough, with interisland travel restrictions to end June 15.

Gov. David Ige announced today that, as COVID vaccination rates in Hawaii continue to rise, it is now safe to end travel restrictions for flights between the Hawaiian islands. Beginning June 15, travelers will be able to fly freely between islands without needing a COVID test or vaccination.

Ige said 52% of Hawaii residents are fully vaccinated. When the total vaccination rate reaches 60%, he said the Safe Travels program will accept vaccination cards from anywhere on the mainland. This will allow travelers vaccinated anywhere on the continental U.S. 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 program will be terminated.

In order to promote vaccinations among Hawaii residents, Ige announced HI Got Vaccinated, a program that provides incentives for receiving the vaccine. Throughout June, vaccinated residents can receive deals and discounts at certain Hawaii businesses and win prizes such as 1 million HawaiianMiles from Hawaiian Airlines.

A full list of the deals and prizes can be found at higotvaccinated.com.

See Saturday’s e-edition of the Tribune-Herald for more details.