Hawaii to allow Japanese visitors to bypass quarantine if they test negative for virus

Great to see, however who will pay from 30,000¥ to 40,000¥ for a PCR in Japan?

Should the government ease the process, and reduce the cost of getting tested - currently an average of 3-4x more expensive than in other developed countries in Europe and America - then many people will certainly enjoy travelling overseas.

Until then, then can open all the borders, only a very small % of people will be able to afford those extra 300-400$.

visitors from Japan

Presume this means citizens, residents excluded right? Not like we can back in with out a truckload of hassle but interested to know if residents are being thought of somewhere.

One of my japanese Coworker just came back from Europe and he said the test was easy to get in Europe (72 hours in advance) and also here at Tokyo airport.

But even he, as a japanese nationality has to stay in quarantine for 2 weeks in a hotel at the airport.

Before people here said that only foreigners have to do that, but that seems not correct.

Also japanese people who are coming back from overseas have to stay 2 weeks in a hotel at the airport.

Another japanese coworker is supposed to come back from South Africa next month.

Same rule: 72 hours in advance test and 2 weeks quarantine at a hotel at the airport.

Until then, then can open all the borders, only a very small % of people will be able to afford those extra 300-400$.

America has 4,000,000 infections. Doesn’t matter how rich you are, returning Japanese will destroy our efforts as this is an island with no testing and limited hospital beds.

Travelers must take a COVID-19 test from an approved clinic or hospital in Japan within 72 hours of their departure.

What the article doesn't tell you is that the clinic you use to get your test must be on the approved list of the receiving airline in Hawaii not here in Japan. I just read a story on Google where a family from the US tested negative before they left to go to their timeshare in Hawaii. However, when they got there they were turned back because the place they used was not on the approved list there in Hawaii.

But Japanese travelers will still have to spend two weeks in quarantine upon returning home.

Its almost worth it. One week in Hawaii, two weeks at home. Meh, no quarantine after Okinawa.

Monty - Sorry, Incorrect. 72 hour pre-departure test is only for foreigners, NOT for Japanese citizens. Test for EVERYBODY on arrival in Japan. But, the people I know who have returned have indeed found it very hassle free and were out of Haneda in less than 2 1/2 hours. You do not have to stay in a Hotel if you have a residential address here , you may go home (and see out your quarantine there) as long as you organise private transportation (family member or pre booked taxi). Now it possible that your co-worker is currently non-resident in Japan and does not have an address, so would therefore be sent to a Hotel.

Either the editor did a lot of red pencil marks, or the writer is not current with her facts.

"Due to the pandemic, Japan continues to prohibit entry to Americans except for exceptional circumstances."

Americans, who are resident in Japan, are not prohibited entry. Some business travelers are allowed in too.

This sentence is only correct for tourists and even then, haven't heard of any 'exceptions circumstances' that would apply to tourists.

Is it not correct that in the early stage of infection with Covid-19, one can test negative, and still be contagious? Furthermore, are not many people who test negative later found to be infected? Would it not be a good idea for policymakers to consult the experts before implementing policies which mean life and death to the populace?

Same rule: 72 hours in advance test and 2 weeks quarantine at a hotel at the airport.

Citizens don't need to fill out and pay for a pointless piece of paper at an embassy or consulate. Residents must do this while clutching valid residence card proving residence is legitimate.

@the Resident

Hmmm...I am not sure about their personal situation, but their families are living here. So I think they are also registered here.

But I am not 100% sure.

Probably you are correct.

Maybe my coworkers dont have a permanent adress in Japan, because they are living overseas.

If they dont have a permanent adress here in Japan, that can explain why they have to stay in a hotel for 2 weeks.

Japanese should probably reconsider traveling to Hawaii right now for several reasons. I live and work here so I should know.

First of all, the governor here is only interested in filling his own coffers which means his sucking up to the tourism authority by attempting to siphon in more Japanese tourists which he considers to be "money magnets".

Secondly, major hotels have not reopened due to low occupancy, and tour options are few and far between.

Many activities have been canceled (e.g. Honolulu Marathon) and transportation options (e.g. rental cars, tour buses, trolleys) are also limited or non existent at this time. The Bus has also reduced its hours and routes.

Restaurants and retail stores have either closed or cut back their hours of operation due to the ongoing pandemic situation. All bars and nightclubs are closed in accordance with the governor's COVID-19 mandate.

Additionally, although promoted as a safe destination, Japanese should not be fooled by what Hawaii promoters tell them. The crime rate has risen and homelessness is now rampant.

Furthermore, wearing of masks has been mandated and failing to do so may result in exuberant fines and jail time if convicted. Hawaii has some of the most strictest restrictions in the nation.

Japanese planning to visit Hawaii now who remember how it was before COVID-19 changed everything should be forewarned that they are in for a rude awakening upon arrival.

Pass it on. It's not that we don't want you to visit, it's just be aware of what's in store for you if you decide to do so.

I am sure there are lot of questions regarding travel to Hawaii.  Go to this site by Hawaii Tourism Japan:

https://www.hawaiitourismauthority.org/covid-19-updates/

Aloha,

Shochuman

This is how rational nations handle the virus. Test negative, good to go.

Due to the pandemic, Japan continues to prohibit entry to Americans except for exceptional circumstances.

Except if you have money and leave within 72 hours.

@ Old man

This is how rational nations handle the virus. Test negative, good to go.

"Rational nations"? For someone always criticizing the government, it seems youve done a backflip.

https://covid19.nj.gov/faqs/coronavirus-information/testing-and-treatment/can-a-person-test-negative-and-later-test-positive-for-covid-19

In the early stage of the disease, one can test negative and still be infected. Thus, a negative test alone is not a guarantee that one will not be able to communicate the disease to someone else in a few days. That is why quarantining is necessary.

We have a new home in Hawaii that we have been unable to use. Between the quarantine in Hawaii, and Japan refusing to allow foreign residents of Japan to reenter the country, it has been impossible to go.

There are now testing centers in Japan which have been approved by Hawaii, but these centers charge a hefty fee. A risk to these tests is that they have a high false positive percentage (around 2 to 4%), and those who were previously infected (but are no longer so) carry dead or partial virus matter which can trigger a positive result. .

The crime rate has risen and homelessness is now rampant.

Crime in Hawaii was serious and homelessness was at epidemic levels even before COVID. But that is the common theme of all the “blue” states. It’s hard to imagine things being worse than they were.

Is it not correct that in the early stage of infection with Covid-19, one can test negative, and still be contagious? 

Actually, the opposite is far more likely. You are much more likely to test positive with a PCR test even if you are not infected than to be infected but testing negative.

Back during the SARS scare a decade ago, the new PCR testing began being used, based on the “flu chip.” Prior to this time, the old test had shown a decrease in SARS cases. But when the flu chip standard began being used there was an explosion in new cases due its increased sensitivity. The explosion in “cases” caused a worldwide health scare which resulted in scary headlines, panics, and a worldwide shortage of masks. Sound familiar?

However, when the explosion of new SARS cases didn’t result in an increase in illnesses or fatalities, the scare died away.

The current PCR tests are showing huge numbers of positive infections. What is most different today is that positive tests are being called “cases” even though most of though who test positive have few or no symptoms, and the vast majority are never hospitalized.

It used to be that term “case” applied only to someone sick enough to require treatment, and/or hospitalization. But calling positive tests “cases” creates the fear necessary to drive clicks on news sites, and to scare people into giving their politicians more power and money.