Hawaii may be a place for paradise, but it’s not the place for people with fake vaccine cards.

A 24-year-old woman from Illinois was recently arrested when she tried to enter Hawaii with a fake COVID-19 vaccination card, according to KITV.

  • The card said the woman had received the “Maderna” vaccine, not the Moderna vaccine.
  • Per Gizmodo, the woman faces a maximum sentence of one year in prison. She was reportedly held on a $2,000 bail.
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This move comes as Hawaii has faced a surge of COVID-19 cases. Hawaii Gov. David Ige has warned visitors and residents to reduce travel between islands and for people outside the state to reconsider visiting, according to NPR.

  • “It is a risky time to be traveling right now,” he said.

What are Hawaii’s COVID rules?

Hawaii visitors have to self-quarantine for 10 days once they arrive. If you’re fully vaccinated, you can waive your right to self-quarantine.

Are fake COVID-19 vaccine cards legal?

The Illinois woman had used a fake vaccination card, which has become more popular as time has gone on, to bypass the quarantine phase, per Gizmodo. Indeed, people are buying fake vaccination cards online at Amazon and Etsy.

But the Federal Bureau of Investigation has warned Americans that fake proof of vaccination cards are illegal.

  • ”By misrepresenting yourself as vaccinated when entering schools, mass transit, workplaces, gyms or places of worship, you put yourself and others around you at risk of contracting COVID-19. Additionally, the unauthorized use of an official government agency’s seal (such as HHS or the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)) is a crime,” the FBI said in a March announcement.
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How to get a free COVID-19 vaccine

The coronavirus vaccine remains free to the public.

  • To get a vaccine, travel to any nearby CVS, Walgreens or grocery store and speak to a pharmacist about getting an appointment.
  • You can also research on your state’s coronavirus information page about where to get specific vaccines.
  • You may also want to consult with your physician before getting your vaccine.