Proof of vaccination or a negative test is now required to visit most Oahu businesses and state facilities. The implementation of the so-called vaccination passport, or “vaxport,” comes as the delta variant has caused COVID-19 case counts to rise dramatically across the state in the last few weeks.

Under Honolulu’s Safe Access Oahu program, patrons at businesses like restaurants, bars, museums, theatres, and other establishments will need to show their vaccine card, a photo of it, or use the state’s SMART Health Card and Safe Travels program. For those not fully vaccinated, a negative COVD-19 test taken within the last 48 hours will suffice.

Employees at those businesses will also have to prove they are vaccinated or undergo testing weekly.

“You’ll see a lot of managers at the front desk, you’ll see a lot of personnel so that we don’t have long lines at the front,” said Sheryl Matsuoka, the executive director for the Hawaii Restaurant Association. “They’ll be explaining… please have patience (to enter).”

The association says this is an alterative they will take instead of shutting down. They encourage people to get takeout if they don’t meet the other requirements.

Hawaii has also begun a vaccine mandate for most state facilities. It also requires proof of vaccination, or a negative COVID-19 test from most visitors and from all state contractors.

The new rules also apply to everyone at airports, from pilots to gate workers to gift shop employees, the state Department of Transportation said.

Honolulu joins other cities such as New Orleans, New York, San Francisco, and the US territory of Guam that have implemented similar requirements.