Modified Quarantine Program for Out-of-State UH Students Attending Oʻahu and Kauaʻi Campuses
On July 17, 2020, the State of Hawaiʻi approved a limited exemption (PDF) to the state’s mandatory 14-day quarantine requirement for out-of-state travelers for University of Hawaiʻi students, registered to attend a UH campus on Oʻahu (and Kauaʻi at the time), who are traveling from out-of-state.
Under the State’s new 10-day quarantine, out-of-state travelers must self-isolate for 10 days and are only allowed to leave their residence for required medical attention. Following the university’s acceptance of a negative COVID-19 test result, the Modified Quarantine (MQ) Program for registered students traveling to Hawaiʻi from out-of-state will allow students to engage solely in restricted university activities, for the remainder of their quarantine period. The MQ Program is ONLY available for students attending UH campuses on the islands of Oʻahu and Kauaʻi. During this Bubble Quarantine (BQ) period, students’ activities and movements will be monitored by the University of Hawaiʻi.
Definitions
- Safe Travels Program: A multilayered process designed to mitigate the spread of COVID-19 in our community from trans-Pacific visitor and resident passengers arriving at airports/ports across the Islands. This enhanced entry into Hawaiʻi includes a pre-travel testing program, the Mandatory State of Hawaiʻi Travel and Health Form, and temperature screening at all Hawaiʻi airports upon arrival. The state of Hawaiʻi will ONLY accept Nucleic Acid Amplification Test (NAAT) from a certified Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendment (CLIA) lab test results from TRUSTED TESTING AND TRAVEL PARTNERS.
- Trusted Testing and Travel Partner (TTTP): The State of Hawaiʻi will ONLY accept Nucleic Acid Amplification Test (NAAT) from a certified Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendment (CLIA) lab test results from a specified list of TRUSTED TESTING AND TRAVEL PARTNERS.
- Modified Quarantine (MQ): A limited exemption to the state’s mandatory 10-day quarantine requirement for out-of-state travelers for University of Hawaiʻi students, registered to attend a UH campus on Oʻahu (and Kauaʻi at this time) who are traveling from out-of-state. Under the State’s 10-day quarantine, out-of-state travelers must self-isolate for 10 days and are only allowed to leave their residence for required medical attention. Following the university’s acceptance of a negative COVID-19 test result, the Modified Quarantine (MQ) Program for registered students traveling to Hawaiʻi from out-of-state will allow students to engage solely in restricted university activities for the remainder of their quarantine period. During MQ, students’ activities and movements will be tracked and monitored by the University of Hawaiʻi.
- Bubble Quarantine (BQ): Post-arrival, once a negative test result is accepted by University Health Services Mānoa (USHM), students will move into a Bubble Quarantine (BQ) phase and will be able to attend limited university activities
for the remainder of the 10-day mandatory quarantine period. During this BQ period, students are not permitted to interact with the general community.
On This Page
- How to qualify for the Modified Quarantine Program for out-of-state students
- State of Hawaiʻi approved COVID-19 test
- COVID-19 testing sites on Oʻahu
- Mandatory daily health screening and weekly check-ins
- Official university activities
- Consequences for violating Modified Quarantine Program
- More information on the Modified Quarantine Program
How to Qualify for the Modified Quarantine Program for Out-of-State Students
Students coming from countries that do not have Trusted Testing and Traveler Partners (TTTPs) or from cities where TTTPs are not available, or have other extenuating circumstances, may apply for the Modified Quarantine (MQ) program. UH Mānoa students coming/returning from out-of-state interested in the MQ Program must complete a survey and submit a signed survey and pre-travel agreement provided by the university.
Students who successfully complete the survey and pre-travel agreement will be provided an electronic letter from the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa that acknowledges preliminary acceptance into the MQ Program. This letter must be presented to transportation officials when they arrive in Hawaiʻi. The letter should be carried at all times for 10 days after arrival.
Students accepted into the MQ program will be entered into the University of Hawaiʻi quarantine database and will be tracked and monitored by the University of Hawaiʻi.
Students accepted into MQ must travel directly from the Honolulu International Airport (HNL) to their quarantine site. Students residing on-campus in Student Housing will not be permitted to quarantine in their residence hall rooms under any circumstance and must make arrangements for quarantine sites at the student’s own expense.
Post-arrival on Oʻahu, students must secure a COVID-19 test (refer to list of testing centers). Once a negative test result is received, it must be submitted to University Health Services Mānoa (USHM) for review and evaluation. Once the negative test result is accepted by UHSM, students will receive an electronic notification from the Office of the Vice Chancellor for Students indicating that student will be moved into a Bubble Quarantine (BQ) phase in which they will be able to only attend limited university activities for the remainder of the 10-day mandatory quarantine period. During this BQ period, students are not permitted to interact with the general community. Students in BQ will be permitted to move into their on-campus residence hall. During the BQ period, students will continue to be tracked and monitored by the University of Hawaiʻi.
Students who are interested in the MQ program should apply immediately upon making travel arrangements to Oʻahu. Students should not delay in completing the process as successful completion can require a substantial amount of time.
State of Hawaiʻi Approved Covid-19 Test
In accordance with the State of Hawaiʻi COVID‐19 Modified Quarantine Procedures for University Students, a State-approved COVID-19 Test is a nucleic acid amplification test (NAAT) or PCR test, approved or authorized by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, pursuant to the Emergency Use Authorization, that is conducted at a CLIA-licensed or certified test laboratory. Currently the Rapid Antigen, Antibody, and tests taken in foreign countries, are not approved tests by the Hawaiʻi State Department of Health for the Modified Quarantine Program.
For the MQ Program, NAAT or PCR tests do not need to be from a Trusted Testing and Travel Partner.
COVID-19 Testing Sites on Oʻahu (not necessarily Trusted Testing and Travel Partners)
Go to www.hah.org and click on “COVID-19 Screening Sites” for more information on where to take a COVID-19 test and the different requirements for each testing site.
Mandatory Daily Health Screening and Check-Ins
All students in the Modified Quarantine Program will be required to conduct daily health checks and report them via the LumiSight UH mobile app (Android, iOS or web form) that monitors COVID-19 symptoms. Students in MQ must also complete daily location checks via the LumiSight UH mobile app. The university will also phone every student periodically and ask a series of questions to ensure that students are following the requirements of the program. Both the daily check ins and phone calls will only take a few minutes each time. Students who do not complete the daily check in or cannot be reached for the phone calls will be subject to sanctions for violation of the university’s student conduct code, which could include suspension or expulsion.
Official University Activities
Once a student in MQ obtains a negative COVID-19 test result that is accepted by University Health Services Mānoa (USHM), the student will receive a confirmation that they have officially entered Bubble Quarantine (BQ). Students in BQ are able to participate solely in limited “university activities” which are defined as attending or engaging in the following activities that occur exclusively on the Mānoa campus:
- Class
- Labs
- Meetings
- Appointments
- Orientations
- Lectures, presentations, exhibitions
- Research activities
- Study groups
- Living in residence halls
- Meals
- Transactions to be a student (e.g., in-person payments, secure an ID, transcript pick up, UPASS pick up, document drop off, etc.)
- Student support services (e.g., medical attention, mental health counseling, academic advising, financial aid, etc.)
- On campus student employment
- Athletic practices and events for Rainbow Wahine and Rainbow Warrior athletes (UH Mānoa Athletic Department also requires a pre-participation physical examination prior to participation in these activities)
During the 10-day quarantine period, even after having tested negative for COVID-19, students are only allowed to leave their residence for the above official university activities or for required medical attention. Students are not permitted into the general community. Failure to comply will be subject to sanctions for violation of the university’s student conduct code, which could include suspension or expulsion.
Consequences for Violating Modified Quarantine Program
Students who violate the terms of the Modified Quarantine Program and the Pre-Travel Agreement will be subject to sanctions for violation of the university’s student conduct code, which could include suspension or expulsion. Violations of COVID-19 related emergency county and state orders are punishable by a fine up to $5,000 and/or up to a year in prison.
More information on the Modified Quarantine Program
Email uhmq@hawaii.edu for any questions concerning the Modified Quarantine Program.
Other resources include:
- The UH Mānoa Office of Admissions Frequently Asked Questions.
- The State of Hawaiʻi’s COVID-19 Pre-Travel Testing program for Hawaiʻi Inbound Travelers and Inter-Island Travel.
UH Mānoa COVID-19 Resources include:
- University Health Services Mānoa.
- UH Mānoa COVID-19 resource page.
