New COVID Restrictions in Hawaii for Guests & Residents
Hawaii Governor Ige said new restrictions on residents and visitors will be implemented immediately
- Hawaii Governor David Ige announced new measures to slow the spread of the COVID-19 Delta variant in the state.
- The capacity in restaurants, gyms and indoor spaces is fixed at 50%.
- Guests in facilities such as restaurants must be 6 feet apart.
With the rise of COVID spiraling out of control in Hawaii, the need to keep the booming travel and tourism industry alive may have delayed the restrictions put in place today by Governor David Ige.
Many visitors and citizens may feel too comfortable taking restrictions seriously.
These include quarantine violators, fake CDC vaccination cards, and illegal gatherings. The governor said such violations are being aggressively pursued, but the police are insufficiently staffed to prosecute all violations.
As of today restaurants, bars, fitness studios in the state of Hawaii have to deal with restrictions again.
Such facilities are allowed to remain open, but the capacity is limited to 50%.
The maximum indoor capacity in shops and other venues is 10 and outdoors 25.
With most restaurants in tourist areas like Waikiki having capacity without such restrictions, this becomes a challenge for Hawaii’s booming travel and tourism industry as well.
The restrictions are softer compared to full bans imposed a year ago with far lower numbers of infections than they are now
The governor avoided reacting when hotel capacity was curtailed and did not respond to eTurboNews at today’s press conference on the matter.
The governor said there would be no changes or restrictions for travelers planning to visit Aloha state. The safe travel program will remain in place as vaccinated visitors can arrive without additional testing.
The governor admitted there was a lack of testing.
Weddings, funerals, church, concert and sporting events with 50 or more people must first be approved by the district authorities.
In today’s press conference, mayors of all the Hawaiian Islands support Governor Ige’s decision.
The Mayor of Maui was concerned about overcapacity in hospitals and intensive care units.
He says if people are looking for emergency services in hospitals and they cannot deliver, it is a red line and we had to act.
The exact wording of the Emergency Ordinance of Hawaii Gov. Ige
EXECUTIVE ORDER NO. 21-05
(Nationwide restrictions on social gatherings, restaurants, bars,
and social institutions)
CONSIDERING that I issued a proclamation on March 4, 2020, in which I changed the state of
Emergency in support of ongoing state and county responses to coronavirus disease
(COVID-19);
Whereas I subsequently issued several proclamations related to the COVID19 pandemic, including proclamations that, among other things, override certain laws to make it possible
State and County Responses to COVID-19; and introduced compulsory self-quarantine for all people entering the state and traveling between districts
safe practices to contain the spread of COVID-19 and introduced vaccination and
Testing guidelines for all state and county employees;
Whereas Delta, a highly contagious SARS-CoV-2 virus strain, too
increasing case numbers around the world and in the United States of America, and
continues to spread in our state at an alarming rate;
WHILE the delta variant of the SARS-CoV-2 virus has changed course
the pandemic in our state urgently, so that the COVID-19 is still at risk
The health, safety and wellbeing of the people of Hawaii and requires immediate and
serious attention, effort and sacrifice of all people in the state in order to avert the unmanageable
Stresses on our health system and other catastrophic effects on the state;
WHEREAS, despite the success of government containment and vaccination measures
based on recent events related to the sudden surge in COVID-19 cases as a result of
the Delta variant, hospital admissions and deaths and the strong recommendation of our
Department of Health and other experts helping with the ongoing response to COVID-19,
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the implementation of nationwide restrictions on social gatherings, as well as additional ones
Arrangements for restaurants, bars and social facilities are required.
NOW, THEREFORE, ME, David Y. Ige, Governor of Hawaii, according to mine
Executive authority under Article V of the Hawaii State Constitution, Chapter
127A, the Revised Bylaws of Hawaii, and all other applicable authorities hereby direct
from 08/10/2021 the following applies:
- For the nationwide implementation and as of every district (and in
according to the definitions established by each county):
A. Social gatherings. Indoor social gatherings of more than ten
Individuals and outdoor social gatherings of more than twenty-five people are prohibited.
B. restaurants, bars and social facilities. Restaurants, bars,
and social institutions will maintain the following guidelines
required sizes for social gatherings, which are indicated above and as can be further specified by the
Counties:
I. The guests must remain seated with their group.
ii. There must be a distance of two meters between the groups.
iii. No mixing.
NS. Masks must be worn at all times, except when actively eating
or drink.
C. Professional events. Professional events need all state and
District ordinances, rules and guidelines regarding operations. Those who organize professionally
at events with more than fifty (50) people to ensure appropriate safe practices
Notify and consult the responsible district authority in good time before the event
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D. Indoor Capacity Limitations. For all high risk activities, indoor
The capacity is fixed at 50%. These include bars, restaurants, gyms, and social facilities
Facilities. - The statewide restrictions set forth herein do not otherwise affect the counties.
COVID-19 Policies Regarding Other Categories of Activity. - All of the measures set out herein are to be taken by the counties in accordance with
District ordinances, rules and directives that point out violations and penalties for each district. - This arrangement replaces less restrictive orders, rules, or instructions from any of
the counties to the limited extent necessary to implement the restrictions and restrictions
Included therein. - Notwithstanding the provisions set out herein, the mayor of a county may
may issue more restrictive orders, rules or instructions. - Unless it is replaced by a subsequent order, this emergency order applies:
ends on October 18, 2021.
Done at the State Capitol, Honolulu,
State of Hawaii, on this 10th day of
August 2021.
