The DOE’s Covid Travel Rules For Unvaccinated Students Can Be Costly … Requirements for a negative Covid test or 10-day quarantine before returning to school after out-of-state travel pose a hardship for families with kids not yet eligible to get a shot.
The Hawaii Department of Education requires that students who are not vaccinated and travel outside the state provide a negative test result to their school upon arrival back on the islands, or else quarantine for 10 days before returning to class.
The policy has been in place since July, and the DOE recently reinforced it in an updated Oct. 8 memo, shortly before schools recessed for a weeklong fall break.
“The Department of Education has its own protocol for students returning from out of state,” said spokeswoman Nanea Kalani. “The added layer of protection is needed because we are prioritizing in-person learning, and 6 feet of separation may not always be maintained throughout the school day.”
