What you need to know during a surge in the COVID delta variant

Two popular Maui travel message boards on Facebook surfaced in questions when news spread Monday that Hawaii Governor David Ige was urging tourists to stay away until October.

“I’ll jump out tomorrow and leave on Monday. If they close the state within that time, will we get stuck there or will they allow us to leave? “

“Does anyone know if Costco Travel is reimbursing based on the governor’s latest announcement?”

“When does the governor propose that the trip can reasonably be resumed once the (travel) plan is in place?”

With the ever-changing travel restrictions imposed by COVID-19 around the world, traveler confusion is expected. Hawaii is one of the toughest.

Here’s what travelers need to know about their trip to Hawaii this fall:

Can you still travel to Hawaii?

Yes sir.

Hawaii didn’t change entry requirements on Monday. Travelers must get vaccinated or show a negative COVID test within 3 days of departure to bypass the mandatory 10-day quarantine. The governor only asked tourists not to visit Hawaii until October due to the surge in COVID cases. Ige also urged airlines, hotels and other tourism companies to get their message out and do everything possible to prevent travel.

Will Hawaii be closed again?

No, at least not yet.

At a press conference, Ige was asked at what point in the current spate of incidents the state would consider the blockade that prevailed across the country’s states in the early days of the pandemic. In Hawaii, beaches, parks and other outdoor activities, among other things, have been closed. Tourists were practically banned for several months in 2020 due to a strict 14-day quarantine.

Hawaii initially said it was doing everything it could to ensure that the hospital was fully able to treat patients such as: ..

Another factor that mitigates the need for blockages is vaccination rates in Hawaii and the United States, he said. No vaccines were available during last year’s recession.

Ige said there is no magic number the state is considering to determine if and when another blockade is needed.

“If we feel that we have no other resources to expand our (health) skills, we must certainly consider more drastic measures,” he said.

Hawaii recently tightened restaurant quotas due to an increase in incidents.

Are Airlines Canceling Flights in Hawaii to Reduce Travel?

There is still no evidence that airlines are listening to the governor’s call to discourage travel to Hawaii other than seasonal service cuts that automatically reduce tourist numbers at the end of the summer vacation.

Southwest Airlines announced a sale fare to Hawaii Tuesday, including a one-way transaction of $ 159 from Phoenix for a trip August 25 through mid-December.

Concerns about Delta variants naturally reduce the number of travelers. Airlines for America, a lobby group in the aviation industry, said ticket bookings have generally declined since mid-July, according to the latest data.

â–º Is it safe to travel during a delta climb? Experts say that some travelers are better off staying at home

â–º “I didn’t think I was responsible”: More and more travelers are canceling their trip

Can I get a refund if I cancel my trip to Hawaii due to the governor’s motion to ban my visit?

This depends on the terms of your ticket, your hotel or apartment reservation, or your vacation package.

The airline is not obliged to issue a refund unless you cancel the flight or purchase a refundable ticket. This is bad news. Fortunately, most major airlines no longer charge high ticket change fees when a trip is canceled or changed. Hence, you can get coupons or travel credits for future trips. However, the expiration date is often associated with the date the ticket was purchased, so please read the fine print carefully.

High COVID Infected Area:Where to wear a mask indoors

Travelers considering canceling their trip to Hawaii should contact the airline, hotel, vacation rental, etc. immediately to see if they are eligible for a refund or travel credit.

Many travelers with short-term plans to visit Hawaii said on the Facebook Maui group this week that they would still travel because otherwise they would lose a lot of money, but others said he had canceled his upcoming trip.

Please also note the travel insurance conditions.

Will the airline cancel or postpone the flight?They owe you that (and how to get it)

Do I need a COVID test to visit Hawaii even if I am vaccinated?

It is speculated that Hawaii will reintroduce pre-departure negative COVID test requirements due to the surge in COVID cases, largely related to community expansion rather than visitors. Vaccinated visitors did not have to be tested since July 8th. Ise said it had been viewed as Monday but said guidelines from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention would make it difficult to decide because domestic travel is safe for vaccinated people.