Hawaii shortens travel quarantine for those who skip test

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HONOLULU — Gov. David Ige on Wednesday reduced the state’s quarantine period for arriving travelers to 10 days from 14 days based on updated recommendations from public health officials.

The new rule takes effect on Thursday.

Travelers to every part of the state except for Kauai County may still avoid quarantine however if they get a negative result on a COVID-19 test taken 72 hours prior to their departure. They must have the negative result before beginning the final leg of their trip.

Hawaii Gov. David Ige’s office said in a statement he changed the rule based on recommendations issued by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the state Department of Health.

The CDC earlier this month revised its quarantine guidance to say people who have been in contact with someone infected with the virus can resume normal activity after 10 days, or seven days if they receive a negative test result. That’s down from the 14-day period recommended since the pandemic began.