Travel in the United States has slowly upticked even though a potential second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic is in progress. One of the U.S's most popular and desired destinations, Hawaii, has maintained its status as one of the most effective states at prevention due to strict travel guidelines. To curb the spread of COVID-19 infections, the state has partnered with AFC Urgent Care Denver to help ensure that all patients traveling to and from Hawaii carry little to no risk of COVID-19.

The Trusted Travel Partnership between AFC Urgent Care clinics and the Hawaiian state government is a specialty public-private initiative to ensure that patients are getting the best in-class COVID-19 testing to freely travel to the state of Hawaii. AFC Urgent Care Denver locations are all part of this program to help travelers safely go to Hawaii in the smoothest fashion possible. If you need more information about the partnership, learn more here. Otherwise read the overview here on the AFC Denver blog!

What is the benefit of the Trusted Travel Partnership with Hawaii?

A patient that gets tested at AFC Urgent Care Denver for pre-travel clearance to Hawaii can ultimately avoid a 14 day quarantine. Patients that do not get tested at a trusted travel partnership will have to quarantine before their visit and may not be able to freely travel to the state.

The state of Hawaii has some of the most successful prevention efforts, which includes strict travel guidelines. Through the partnership, AFC Urgent Care Denver has been selected as a partner organization because we can safely test patients before traveling.

Is travel banned to Hawaii from certain states? Or is travel just restricted

Right now, there is not a specific ban on travel to Hawaii but there are a lot of travel restrictions. The state explains that on top of quarantine for certain travelers with a pre-authorized test, there are in-flight and arrival requirements as well:

• 24 hours prior to departure, answer the health questionnaire on your Safe Travels account.

• While in flight and deplaning, travelers must follow the guidance of their air carrier regarding physical distancing, mask wearing and sanitation processes.

• All incoming Hawaii travelers will have their temperature checked upon arrival. Temperature scans will be taken via thermal temperature screening and facial-imaging technology. Photos are only temporarily retained for persons with elevated temperatures of 100.4 degrees F and above to help airport representatives identify them and conduct additional assessments.

• Should travelers have a temperature of 100.4 degrees F or higher, display COVID-19 symptoms, or provide answers on the online STATE TRAVELER HEALTH FORM(link is external) requiring additional testing, they will be required to complete a secondary screening at the airport performed by trained health care staff.

• Travelers who arrive from a trans-pacific flight and pass through the airport screeners without a valid negative COVID-19 NAAT from the state of Hawaii’s Trusted Testing and Travel Partners list, will be subject to the state’s mandatory 14-day mandatory self-quarantine.  Details here(link is external).

• Trans-pacific travelers participating in the Safe Travels program will be randomly selected to take a County administered COVID-19 test upon arrival to Hawaii Island. The tests will be administered to approximately 25% of the passengers at all three airports and the cost of the test will be borne by Hawaii County(link is external).