Forms for interisland travel can now be submitted online Health screening streamlined
The Maui News
The mandatory interisland travel and health form can now be submitted online within 24 hours of flight departure, the COVID-19 Joint Information Center announced Wednesday.
Online submission adds efficiency to the passenger verification process, saves travelers time and allows information to enter the database in real time. The form includes health and contact information needed to trace close contacts should a passenger become ill, the center news release said.
Ticketed passengers may visit the state Department of Health travel website at health.hawaii.gov/travel to find the digital fillable travel and health form. Once all the required questions have been completed and the form is signed and submitted, the passenger will receive an email with a QR code. They should bring the code with them to the airport, either on an electronic device, which is preferred, or printed.
The form may not be completed or submitted outside of the 24-hour time frame. Chrome is the best browser, Safari and Explorer are slow loading, the center said.
When passengers arrive at the airport they should check in to their flight and obtain a boarding pass (if they haven’t already done so online) and drop off any checked luggage.
Passengers then will proceed to a passenger verification and screening station located before Transportation Security Administration checkpoints, where they will have their temperature taken to ensure it is below 100.4 degrees. Flyers with temperatures higher than 100.4 degrees will not be allowed to fly.
Passengers without elevated temperatures will submit their QR code to an airport representative, who will scan it with an iPad to verify the information.
Travelers also may download the form in advance, fill it out and print it, and bring it with them to the airport or fill it out at the airport. The passenger’s mobile phone will be called in their presence to ensure it rings, and the screener will verify the address provided on the form matches the passenger’s government issued identification.
In addition to flagging temperature, certain other individuals will receive additional assessment and will have the opportunity to have a nasal swab sample taken at the airport, which will be delivered to an off-site DOH lab to be tested for COVID-19. Feeling symptomatic (other than a fever) and having the swab sample taken does not necessarily prohibit travel. However, the form will allow DOH to contact the person should their test result be positive.
Once information is verified and the passenger has successfully completed the process, they can proceed to the TSA checkpoint.
The mandatory travel and health forms must be submitted by each passenger, including minors. It must be submitted before each interisland flight, even if flights are on the same day.
Travelers are encouraged to allow extra time and arrive at the airport with enough time to complete the passenger verification process, pass through security checkpoints and arrive at their assigned gate prior to departure.
Gov. David Ige’s office, Hawai’i Tourism Authority, Department of Health, Department of Transportation, Department of the Attorney General, Office of Enterprise Technology Services and all four counties coordinated to help develop and implement the new digital resource, the center said. The system was developed by Esri and utilizes its ArcGIS platform.
The state lifted the mandatory 14-day self-quarantine for interisland travelers on June 16.
Aloha United Way 2-1-1 will be fielding questions regarding the interisland travel form.
