As previously announced, Hawaii Safe Travels and mask mandate end tonight. However, you’ll still need to pack your mask on your next trip to Hawaii – at least for now.
I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again – Hawaii Safe Travels no longer makes sense. At one point, it did and, perhaps, could’ve continued to do so. But when Governor Ige decided not to require boosters to qualify for Hawaii Safe Travels vaccine exemption, the program, effectively, became useless. So it’s great to see that Governor Ige finally realized this.
Hawaii Safe Travels and Mask Mandate End Tonight
As the title of this article suggests, both Hawaii Safe Travels and the mask mandate end tonight. Specifically, the emergency proclamation for both ends at 11:59 pm HST. This means that if you’re flying out to Hawaii today, but your flight lands before midnight, you must still create a vaccine pass to avoid quarantine upon arrival. Stupid, I know. However, beginning at midnight, the Hawaii Safe Travel system goes away completely, with the exception of the vaccine pass for restaurants, bars, gyms, etc. Ige states that the database and QR codes for those that elected to use Safe Travels to show proof of vaccination will continue to be available for the foreseeable future.
Continue to Pack Your Vaccine Card and Masks
While Hawaii’s mask mandate, the final one in the U.S., will soon be no more, you still need to pack masks with you. Why? For one, the mask mandate for air travel, mass transit, and at airports is still in force for at least the next few weeks. What’s more, individual businesses may continue to require masks and/or proof of vaccination. And, remember, it’s these businesses’ right and freedom to require both, just as it is your right and freedom to not do business with them if you don’t wish to comply.
Final Thoughts
At this point, I know I’m beating a dead horse. But, please, please, please. BE KIND. Do not make a scene because a business requires you to wear a mask or show proof of vaccination. Owners of these establishments are only doing what they feel they need to in order to protect themselves, their employees, and other patrons. And, again, it is their right to enforce these restrictions at their business. The pandemic isn’t over yet – even though it may seem like it – and we do all need to work together to get through this. What’s more, if our hospitalization rate increases once again, Governor Ige says he will reimplement the mask mandate.