After pushing back the prospective launch date several times, Hawaii will start its program to allow visitors to bypass quarantine by presenting a negative COVID-19 on Oct. 15, and several airlines have swooped in to assist in making that program a little easier for travelers.
Hawaii has a mandatory 14-day quarantine for all out-of-state travelers. Starting Oct. 15, travelers will be able to present documentation of negative COVID-19 test results administered 72-hours before the last leg of their flight to bypass the quarantine.They will also have to submit a temperature check and fill out health forms on the state's Safe Travels digital system.
The key is the test has to be a “state approved COVID-19 test.” Get the wrong one, and you'll be made to quarantine for 14 days. There will be no tests available upon arrivalin the state.
The Hawaii Department of Health said the approved tests must be processed by "laboratories that are licensed or certified by Clinical Laboratories Improvement Amendments (CLIA) of specimens for nucleic acid amplification testing approved or authorized by the United States Food and Drug Administration, pursuant to an Emergency Use Authorization or other authorization for COVID-19 testing."
On its travel website, the state said its approved trusted testing partners are: CVS and Kaiser Permanente.
However, several of the airlines that fly to Hawaii are now offering tests that will comply with Hawaii's standards. Here's a breakdown of what each airline is offering.
American Airlines
On Sept. 29, American Airlines announced it would offer testing options for Jamaica, the Bahamas and Hawaii. The airline said additional details about the Hawaii program will be announced in the coming days, but this is what we know about it now.
How it works: American will offer three options for passengers traveling to Hawaii. One option will involve an at-home test from LetsGetChecked. For $129, you'll be observed collecting your test sample by a medical professional via virtual visit, with results expected in 48 hours on average.
They'll also offer in-person testing at a CareNow urgent care location, as well as onsite rapid testing at Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport. Those tests will also be administered by CareNow at a to-be-determined location in a DFW terminal.
When it launches: Oct. 15
What it will cost: $129 for the at home option, American to release details on the cost of the other two options.
The caveat: The Hawaii program will be limited to Dallas Fort Worth International Airport initially with the hope of expanding to other airports.
United Airlines
On Sept. 24, United Airlines was the first airline to announce it would offer preflight COVID-19 testing.
How it works: There are two options available. The airline has partnered with GoHealth Urgent Care and Dignity Health to offer a rapid test at a clinic located in the international terminal of San Francisco International Airport. Those results are available within 15 minutes. The airline also offers an at-home test.
When it launches: Oct. 15
What it costs:
- $250 for the rapid test
- $80 for mail-in test.
The caveat: United Airlines is currently only offering testing for passengers originating from San Francisco International Airport.
Hawaiian Airlines
Hawaiian Airlines announced on Sept. 25 that it is partnering with Worksite Labs to launch their COVID-19 testing program, which will administer Droplet Digital PCR shallow nasal swab tests at drive thru testing locations. It followed up on Oct. 1 saying it will also offer mail-in tests to all Hawaii-bound passengers through Vault Health.
How it works: The airline offers passengers two options. Passengers departing from San Francisco or Los Angeles can choose testing at drive-thru locations near San Francisco International Airport and Los Angeles International Airport. At the time of the test, they can choose between same-day results and results delivered within 36 hours.
If you're not departing from those locations, the airline will offer you the opportunity to order a mail-in saliva test. You'll be express mailed a kit and a testing supervisor will help you collect your own sample during a video call. You'll then overnight the kit to a lab and receive results within 24 hours.
When it launches: Oct. 15
What it costs:
- $150 for same-day drive-thru results.
- $90 for drive-thru results delivered within 36 hours.
- $150 for the mail-in saliva test.
The caveat: The drive-thru locations are only near San Francisco International Airport and Los Angeles International Airport. If you're not departing from these airports, you'll need to order the mail-in kit.
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Southwest Airlines
Southwest Airlines has not yet announced any partnerships for preflight COVID-19 testing. However, one of the main airports from which it provides its Hawaii flights did announce a program to help travelers meet Hawaii's testing requirement to avoid quarantine.
How it works: Working with CityHealth Urgent Care, Oakland International Airport will offer free, rapid result COVID-19 tests to passengers who are flying to Hawaii. In a Sept. 29 press release, the airport said it would release additional details about the Hawaii program soon.
When it launches: Oct. 15
What it costs: Free
The Caveat: You'll have to schedule your flight through Oakland with enough time to go get the test before you get on the plane.
Alaska Airlines
Alaska Airlines announced on Sept. 30 that it will partner with Carbon Health to make rapid COVID-19 testing available at a pop-up clinic located in downtown Seattle. Eventually, the airline hopes to add other popup locations on the West Coast.
How it works: Starting Oct. 8, passengers can make an appointment for the Carbon Health clinic located at 220 6th Avenue North in downtown Seattle. Appointments are available beginning Oct. 12 on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. PDT. The airline said test results are ready within 2 hours. Information on how to schedule an appointment will be available Oct. 5 at alaskaair.com/hawaii-bound.
How much it costs: $135
When it launches: Appointments begin Oct. 12.
The caveat: The location is a hike from the airport in downtown Seattle.
You can connect with Arizona Republic Consumer Travel Reporter Melissa Yeager through email at melissa.yeager@azcentral.com. You can also follow her on Twitter and Instagram.
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4 airlines have COVID testing for Hawaii travel: How and where to get one, what it costs - The Arizona Republic
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