Updated | New COVID Restrictions in Hawaii for Visitors & Residents

David Ige
Press Conference Hawaii Governor Ige August 10
Avatar of Juergen T Steinmetz

Hawaii went from the lowest increase in COVID infections, to the highest vaccination numbers in the United States, to some of the highest infection rates, while tourism is booming. Today Governor Ige reacted after hospitals are filling to capacity in the Aloha State.

Hawaii Governor Ige said new limitations for residents and visitors are implemented immediately

  • Hawaii Governor David Ige announced new measures to slow the spread of the COVID-19 Delta variant in the state.
  • Capacity in restaurants, gyms, indoor settings is set at 50%.
  • Patrons in establishments like restaurants must be 6 feet apart.

With the COVID increases out of control in Hawaii, the need to keep the booming travel and tourism industry alive may have delayed restrictions put in place today by Governor David Ige.

Many visitors and citizens may be too much at ease in taking restrictions seriously.
It includes quarantine violators, fake CDC vaccination records, and illegal gatherings. The governor said such violations are prosecuted aggressively, but there are not enough human resources in the police department to chase all violators.

As of today restaurants, bars, gyms in the State of Hawaii have to deal with restrictions once again.

Such establishments are allowed to stay open, but the limit capacity to 50%.
Maximum indoor capacity at stores and other venues is 10, outside is 25.

With most restaurants in tourist areas like Waikiki constantly running capacity without such restrictions, this will be a challenge also for Hawaii’s booming travel and tourism industry.

Restrictions are soft compared to complete lockdowns that were put in place a year ago with infections numbers by far lower than now

The Governor avoided a response if limitations will be put on hotel capacity and did not respond to eTurboNews at today’s press conference on this issue.

The Governor said there won’t be any changes or more restrictions for travelers wanting to visit the Aloha State. The safe travels program will remain as is with vaccinated visitors able to arrive without additional tests.

The Governor admitted there was a shortage in testing.

Weddings, funerals, church, concerts, and sports events with 50 and more people need to be approved by County authorities first.

In today’s press conference mayors from all Hawaiian Islands are supporting the decision by Governor Ige.

The mayor in Maui was concerned about hospitals and ICUs operating over capacity.

He says when people are seeking emergency services in hospitals and they cannot deliver, this is a red line, and we had to take action.

The exact wording of the Emergency order by Hawaii Gov. Ige

EXECUTIVE ORDER NO. 21-05
(Statewide Limits for Social Gatherings, Restaurants, Bars,
and Social Establishments)
WHEREAS, on March 4, 2020, I issued a Proclamation declaring a state of
emergency to support ongoing State and county responses to the Coronavirus Disease
(COVID-19);
WHEREAS, I subsequently issued several proclamations related to the COVID19 pandemic, including proclamations that inter alia suspended certain laws to enable
State and county responses to COVID-19; and implemented a mandatory selfquarantine for all persons entering the State and traveling between counties, mandated
safe practices to reduce the spread of COVID-19, and instituted a vaccination and
testing policy for all State and county employees;
WHEREAS, Delta, a highly contagious SARS-CoV-2 virus strain, has resulted in
spiking case numbers around the world and in the United States of America, and
continues to spread at an alarming rate in our State;
WHEREAS, the Delta variant of the SARS-CoV-2 virus has changed the course
of the pandemic in our State urgently, such that the COVID-19 continues to endanger
the health, safety, and welfare of the people of Hawai‘i and requires the immediate and
serious attention, effort, and sacrifice of all people in the State to avert unmanageable
strains on our healthcare system and other catastrophic impacts to the State;
WHEREAS, despite the success of the State’s mitigation and vaccination efforts,
based on recent events surrounding the sudden rise of COVID-19 cases as a result of
the Delta variant, hospitalizations, and deaths and the strong recommendation from our
Department of Health and other experts assisting in the ongoing COVID-19 response,
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the implementation of statewide limits for social gatherings, as well as additional
provisions for restaurants, bars, and social establishments is necessary.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, David Y. Ige, Governor of Hawai‘i, pursuant to my
executive authority under article V of the Constitution of the State of Hawai‘i, chapter
127A, Hawai‘i Revised Statutes, and all other applicable authority, do hereby order,
effective August 10, 2021, the following:

  1. For statewide implementation and as defined by each county (and in
    accordance with definitions specified by each county):
    a. Social Gatherings. Indoor social gatherings of more than ten
    persons and outdoor social gatherings of more than twenty-five persons are prohibited.
    b. Restaurants, Bars, and Social Establishments. Restaurants, bars,
    and social establishments will implement the following guidelines while maintaining the
    required social gathering sizes set forth above and as may be further specified by the
    counties:
    i. Patrons must remain seated with their party.
    ii. Six feet distancing must be maintained between groups.
    iii. No mingling.
    iv. Masks must be worn at all times except when actively eating
    or drinking.
    c. Professional Events. Professional events must comply with all state and
    county orders, rules, and directives regarding operation. Those organizing professional
    events larger than fifty (50) persons, in order to ensure appropriate safe practices, shall
    notify and consult with the appropriate county agency reasonably prior to the event
    3 of 3
    d. Restrictions on Indoor Capacity. For all high-risk activities, indoor
    capacity is set at 50%. This includes bars, restaurants, gyms, and social
    establishments.
  2. Statewide limitations set forth herein will not otherwise affect the counties’
    COVID-19 policies regarding other categories of activity.
  3. All measures set forth herein will be enforced by the counties pursuant to
    county orders, rules, and directives that identify offenses and penalties for each county.
  4. This order supersedes less restrictive orders, rules, or directives of any of
    the counties to the limited extent necessary to carry out the limitations and restrictions
    contained herein.
  5. Notwithstanding the provisions set forth herein, the mayor of any county
    may issue orders, rules, or directives that are more restrictive.
  6. Unless superseded by a subsequent order, this Emergency Order shall
    terminate on October 18, 2021.
    Done at the State Capitol, Honolulu,
    State of Hawai‘i, this 10th day of
    August, 2021.

About the author

Avatar of Juergen T Steinmetz

Juergen T Steinmetz

Juergen Thomas Steinmetz has continuously worked in the travel and tourism industry since he was a teenager in Germany (1977).
He founded eTurboNews in 1999 as the first online newsletter for the global travel tourism industry.

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