Exemption Procedures for Out-Of-State Students Returning to O‘ahu & Kaua‘i Campuses

HONOLULU – Out-of-state students attending any University of Hawai‘i campus on O‘ahu, Chaminade University, Hawai‘i Pacific University, and Kaua‘i Community College for the 2020 fall semester will face strict requirements to prevent the spread of COVID-19. The requirements were agreed upon by the schools, the State, the City and County of Honolulu, and Kaua‘i County.

Pursuant to the exemption students must show proof, upon arrival in the state, of a negative COVID-19 test taken within 72 hours of their point-of-departure. The test must be valid and one approved by the State of Hawaiʻi. If they have not received the test result before they arrive in Hawaiʻi, or if they take a COVID-19 test after they arrive (which has to be taken within 48 hours of arrival), they must quarantine themselves for 14 days. Students can transition out once they show proof of a negative test.

The exemption only allows the students, after meeting additional requirements, passing daily wellness checks and obtaining a negative test, to attend university activities, like classes, during the 14 days following arrival. Otherwise, the out-of-state students must self-quarantine for the two-weeks following arrival. Each school is responsible for their students conducting daily wellness checks that include temperature checks and symptom questionnaires.

Other requirements include:

• Students must provide their university with a written statement indicating they had no fever, symptoms or exposure to any known cases of COVID-19 in the 14 days prior to travel.
• While traveling, students must wear cloth face coverings to the greatest extent possible and use hand sanitizer frequently. They must follow all State and county orders, including regarding face coverings, after they arrive in Hawai‘i.
• After arrival, students must use face coverings and travel directly to their place of residence.
• They are not allowed to use public transportation during their quarantine period. Once they have negative test results, they may attend official school activities, if they are in off-campus housing, they may walk, cycle, or use a private vehicle (no public transportation or pooled rides, except for university-provided shuttles) to travel to official school activities.
• Every student must carry a copy of an official email from the university that explains their exemption status.

Students who don’t meet these requirements face university sanctions.

The new procedures only apply to students and not their family members. Complete rules and procedures: https://governor.hawaii.gov/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/University-Student-Arrivals-FINAL.pdf

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PDF: Exemption Procedures for Out-Of-State Students Returning to O‘ahu & Kaua‘i Campuses