COVID-19 restrictions at Oʻahu restaurants and bars will likely end in early March, but the statewide mask mandate may be around for a little while longer.
As of Monday, Feb. 21, Maui County no longer requires proof of vaccination or testing for restaurants, bars and gyms.
“With the rapid decline of new COVID-19 cases and related hospitalizations, we can safely eliminate the proof-of-vaccination requirement for bars, restaurants and gyms,” Mayor Michael Victorino said. “We advise continuing to wear face masks while indoors in public spaces and to maintain physical distancing when in groups of people from outside of your household."
Honolulu Mayor Rick Blangiardi said the city will soon lift similar rules under Safe Access Oʻahu. Blangiardi told Hawaii News Now that he will likely allow Oʻahu's emergency order to expire on March 5.
Lt. Gov. Josh Green said other statewide rules will probably change at the end of March. But ultimately that decision is up to Gov. David Ige and the state Department of Health.
If Ige does not extend the state emergency proclamation past March 25, Green said that would likely be the end of the Safe Travels program — which requires travelers to show proof of vaccination or a negative test to bypass quarantine.
It also impacts exemptions for things like extensions for driver's licenses, processes for buying personal protection equipment, and more. Green said Ige may choose to make changes gradually.
Green said that even after the mask mandate is lifted, some people will probably continue to wear them.
Hawaiʻi is the only state in the country that has not announced plans to relax mask requirements.
In a written statement, Ige said, “I am working with the Department of Health to determine when the time is right for Hawaiʻi to lift the indoor mask mandate. Hawaiʻi ranks second in the nation when it comes to COVID deaths, in part because of the indoor mask requirement and other measures that have proven successful in protecting our community from this potentially deadly virus. Our decisions are based on science, with the health and safety of our community as our top priority.”
The state reports 76% of Hawaiʻi residents are fully vaccinated. Oʻahu has the highest rate at 80%, while Hawaiʻi Island has the lowest at 67%.
Find more information about COVID-19 testing and vaccinations at hawaiicovid19.com.
