International travel to Hawai‘i resumed today with the arrival of 64 travelers from Japan on an All Nippon Airways (ANA) flight from Haneda Airport in Tokyo. The visitors are the first to take part in the state’s pre-travel testing program that now includes both domestic trans-Pacific travelers and those from Japan.
At a morning news conference, held while the passengers were clearing customs and taking mandatory steps to prevent the spread of infectious disease, Gov. David Ige said, “Today we welcome additional visitors from Japan who are participating in the pre-travel testing program. This allows us to revive our economy while keeping our community, the people who work here, and those in the hospitality industry, safe.”
Lt. Governor Josh Green expressed his excitement, saying “This program helps us welcome back friends and loved ones traveling from Japan, thanks to the governor’s strong leadership. We are excited to reunite people and restore some hope.”
The pre-travel testing program for incoming travelers to Hawai‘i is part of a layered program, that includes thermal screening of all passengers at arrival gates and receiving a negative COVID-19 test result within 72 hours of their flight to Hawai‘i to bypass the 14-day mandatory quarantine.
Upon returning to Japan, travelers are subject to quarantine. Most U.S. citizens are currently restricted from traveling to Japan.
Eric Takahata, with Hawai‘i Tourism Japan, called today a “momentous day.” He said the arrival of the first international flight under the pre-travel testing program is exciting and people should be proud that the incredibly hard work of both Hawai‘i’s and Japan’s leaders and the hospitality industry made this possible. He also singled out the work of House Speaker Scott Saiki, Department of Business, Economic Development & Tourism (DBEDT) Director Mike McCartney, and Hawai‘i Tourism Authority (HTA) President and CEO John De Fries for their coordination.
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