State to open pre-travel testing program to visitors from Korea
HONOLULU, Hawaii (HawaiiNewsNow) - Visitors from Korea with a negative COVID-19 test will soon be allowed to bypass the 10-day traveler quarantine under the state’s expanded pre-travel testing program.
The state announced Wednesday that the program would apply to visitors coming from Korea starting Feb. 5.
Korea is the latest international destination to be added to the program following Japan and Canada.
“The pre-travel testing program is just one layer of the state’s comprehensive Safe Travels Hawai’i program, which has served us well in protecting our residents and visitors. We are excited to safely welcome back travelers from Korea,” Gov. David Ige said.
Four trusted testing partners in Korea have been named:
- Yonsei University Health System, Severance Hospital
- Kangbuk Samsung Hospital
- Inha University Hospital
- Asan Medical Center
A list of the state’s trusted travel testing partners can be found here.
The requirements are the same as existing standards for other trans-Pacific travelers: Travelers must test negative within 72 hours of departure to be cleared from quarantine.
The expansion of the program to Korea is welcomed news for the tourism industry, which relies heavily on the Asian market.
“We continue to inform visitors before and after they arrive in the Hawaiian Islands to make them more mindful and aware about their responsibility to keep themselves and our residents safe,” John De Fries, President and CEO of the Hawai’i Tourism Authority said.
“HTA will work with Hawai’i Tourism Korea to expand collaboration with airlines, and will also work with Korea’s leading industry and brand partners to develop sustainable travel themes to Hawai’i that comply with our State’s travel policies and guidelines.”
The state says that Korean nationals returning to the country are still subject to a 14-day quarantine after returning home.
This story may be updated.
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