As the State of Hawaii’s “Safe Travels Multi-Tier Program” begins on Oct. 15, Oakland International Airport (OAK) and CityHealth Urgent Care announce the opening of a second on-airport COVID testing facility located in front of the main passenger terminal complex of the airport. The second on-airport testing facility is planned to open Oct. 15.
OAK is the first airport to be certified by the State of Hawaii as a certified Trusted Testing and Travel Partner. OAK partner CityHealth Urgent Care is also certified by the State of Hawaii as a Trusted Testing and Travel Partner.
CityHealth has been conducting COVID testing on-airport at OAK’s North Field on Earhart Road since Oct. 6. The testing site operates from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. Express service is available for credentialed Oakland-based airport employees. Testing is also available to the public. There is no out-of-pocket cost to those being tested. Appointments are required and can be made at CityHealth’s website.
A second facility, specializing on those participating in Hawaii’s Safe Travels Multi-Tier Program as well as OAK-based currently credentialed employees, is planned to open on Oct. 15. It is conveniently located in front of the main terminal complex between Terminal 1 and Terminal 2 along the second curb in the Ground Transportation plaza. Appointments in advance are strongly recommended and are available through December at CityHealth’s website. “Walk-ins” will be accepted secondary to those with an appointment. There is no out-of-pocket cost for the test.
Hawaii’s pre-travel testing program requires passengers five and older to take a Nucleic Acid Amplification Test (NAAT) from a Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (CLIA) certified laboratory within 72 hours from the final leg of departure and produce a negative result in order to avoid the state’s 14-day mandatory quarantine. A trained professional must observe all tests. Only test results from trusted testing partners approved by the Hawaii State Department of Health will be accepted.
The Pre-Travel program uses Hawaii’s Safe Travels digital system. There are clear and easy-to-follow instructions for those planning a journey to the Hawaii Islands. Participation requires advance registration, the upload of a negative test result from a trusted testing partner and, if acceptable to Hawaii officials, receipt of a unique QR code allowing pre-authorized entry upon arrival in Hawaii with no quarantine requirement. Travelers are responsible to know all of the details of the program. Without strict adherence to the instructions and related protocols, travelers could face a 14-day mandatory quarantine beginning at their time of arrival in Hawaii. Passengers must read and understand the full details of the Hawaii Department of Health’s Safe Travels program.
Important note: at the time of this release, Hawaii County, encompassing Hawaii Island with Kailua-Kona and Hilo as major airports, is not participating in the Pre-Test program and arriving passengers are required to comply with the 14-day quarantine.
OAK advises Hawaii passengers to do all possible in their own interest to be tested 2-3 days before their scheduled departure.
If it is impossible to be tested before the day of departure, passengers should schedule an appointment no later than 3 hours before their scheduled departure with due consideration of CityHealth’s operating hours. CityHealth’s operating hours for the new main terminal testing facility are currently scheduled from 6 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. daily.
OAK strongly advises passengers planning to connect to a Hawaii-bound flight at OAK to complete testing, transmit results and receive authorization using the Safe Travels system prior to departure at their point of origin. Doing so prepares travelers for an easy journey; avoiding the risk of a missed connection, an unplanned COVID test result and the associated delays and expenses.
“CityHealth Urgent Care and its team of expert clinical staff and infectious disease physician consultants are pleased to offer convenient, efficient molecular COVID-19 testing utilizing state-of-the-art Abbott Lab instrumentation for results in 15 minutes,” said Sean Parkin, founder and CEO of CityHealth. “We are thrilled to be listed as a ‘Trusted Testing Partner’ as we work together with the Hawaii State Department of Health to protect travelers and residents of Hawaii. In a partnership with Oakland International Airport and the Port of Oakland, CityHealth offers daily pre-travel testing to help bring people home to Hawaii, back to work, or to a long-delayed vacation in paradise. Aloha begins at OAK with City Health and Oakland International Airport,” said Parkin.
“Oakland International Airport was the first mainland gateway to Hawaii in 1927. Our link with the islands — both at the airport and seaport — is hugely important to all of us here at the Port of Oakland. As the first airport certified by the Hawaii State Department of Health as a Trusted Testing and Travel Partner, we’ll do all possible to ensure that we’re prepared for those passengers in the Safe Travels testing program,” said Bryant L. Francis, Port of Oakland director of aviation. “As we welcome back Hawaii-bound travelers we ask that each of you make an extra special effort to understand and comply with the rules of the program. This will allow everyone to travel in good health when they fly the East Bay way.”
