After being delayed for months, a much-touted pre-travel testing program that authorities say is a key step in rebooting the tourism industry will be launched Oct. 15, allowing trans-Pacific visitors to forgo a 14-day quarantine if they test negative for COVID-19. Gov. David Ige made the announcement Wednesday, saying reopening the doors to trans-Pacific travelers is critical to getting tourism-dependent businesses reopened and people back to work. Under the program, travelers will have to test negative for COVID-19 no more than 72 hours before arrival to qualify for the quarantine exemption. Trans-Pacific travelers of all ages will be subject to the rule. And at least for now, there will be no tests available at airports.But key details must still be worked out, including the specifics on how the state would confirm that a negative test is valid and taken within the required window. The state did say it is contracting with CVS and Kaiser Permanente to offer the tests at the traveler’s expense. “The pre-travel testing program does provide an added layer of security,” Ige said. Lt. Gov. Josh Green, who will be overseeing the rollout of the testing program, added that the tests will cost about $140. He said the program “definitely provides economic opportunity to our state." Article writing by HNN Staff