In a first step toward reopening one of Hawaii’s biggest travel markets, the state Department of Health has approved the COVID-19 Nucleic Acid Amplification Test (NAAT) authorized by Japan’s Ministry of Health, Labor, and Welfare for the state’s Safe Travels program.

“Proof of a negative test result from trusted testing partners in Japan will allow travelers from Japan to bypass the 14-day quarantine upon their arrival in Hawaii,” Gov. David Ige announced Wednesday.

The health department is working with Japanese medical institutions to create a list of “trusted testing partners” in Japan. Travelers will have the option to take the approved test from a trusted partner up to 72 hours before departing for Hawaii and could use proof of a negative test to bypass the 14-day quarantine.

When confirmed, Japan’s trusted testing partners will be posted on the Hawai‘i COVID-19 information website – hawaiicovid19.com. Japanese nationals traveling abroad are still subject to a 14-day quarantine upon their return to the country. Travel restrictions on U.S. travel into Japan still remain in place.