County Council Takes Steps to Combat Coronavirus

Photo credit: Maui Office of Council Services.

Maui County Council Chair Alice L. Lee said today she and her fellow council members are focused on maintaining the safety and health of the general public and county employees while continuing to do legislative work.

“The public’s well-being is always our top priority,” Lee said in a press release. “Along with staff, all councilmembers are monitoring developments with the coronavirus pandemic, and we know we will need to make changes in the way we do business.

“We all want to assure the public we are monitoring official guidance closely and taking action at our offices to protect everyone who does business with the council. Decisions will be made as transparently as possible and won’t be made hastily. Additionally, we are working on a telecommunications system to allow people to testify from their homes and will release the information as soon as the system is operational.”

Lee said the following actions are being taken:

• Limiting in-person meetings and physical interactions.
• When meetings are required, keeping participants at least six feet away from each other.
• Encouraging email testimony rather than in-person testimony.
• Establishing a telecommuting policy.
• Requiring frequent hand washing and cleaning of hard surfaces.

The council’s Healthy Families and Communities Committee will meet tomorrow at 9 a.m. to receive a public-health update from the state Department of Health.

Lee said it is imperative for members of the public to continue to share their testimony with the council and its committees, but to do so via email or fax.