Hawaii includes Philippines in Safe Travels Program

MANILA, Philippines — Hawaii has included the Philippines in its Safe Travels Program, allowing travelers from Manila to Honolulu to bypass the state’s mandatory 10-day quarantine by presenting a negative RT-PCR (reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction) test result.

Consul General Joselito Jimeno thanked Hawaii Gov. David Ige for including the Philippines in its Safe Travels Program.

The Hawaii decision allows Philippine Airlines’ passengers traveling from Manila to Honolulu to bypass the state’s mandatory 10-day quarantine as long as they can present a negative RT-PCR test result taken at a PAL-accredited laboratory 72 hours before departure from the Philippines.

Ige said the state looks forward to restarting and increasing international travel with the Philippines on a more robust and regular basis.

Jimeno told Ige the Filipino community, through FiICOM CARES, has been very active in supporting state efforts to increase the vaccination rate.

He said the consulate supports the community’s efforts through regular reminders on radio and other media partners to convince Filipinos to avail themselves of the vaccination and continue adhering to health protocols.

Ige expressed appreciation for the community’s endeavors, noting that people-to-people links are sometimes more effective in getting the message across and convincing people to be vaccinated.

He said the government would focus on increasing the vaccination rate and promoting vigilance and taking the necessary precautions to prevent the spread of the virus, especially with the opening of the school year on Aug. 3.