Maui Public Health Rules to be Revised in Accordance with Ige’s Executive Order

Governor David Ige’s office has asked Mayor Michael Victorino to amend his recent request to revise Maui County’s emergency public health rules to conform with the Governor’s Executive Order #21-08 announced yesterday, that will go into effect on Nov. 12, 2021.

Restaurants, bars and gyms with requirements for patrons to provide proof of vaccination and/or a negative COVID test within 48 hours, may operate up to full capacity. This consent is contingent upon social distancing and mask requirements remaining in place.

High risk businesses that do not check for proof of vaccine or testing, will continue to be subject to the 50% capacity requirement indoors.  

Limits on private social gatherings will remain at 10 indoors and 25 outdoors. Commercial events with professional management intended for more than 50 participants will require an approved exemption from the Office of the Mayor.

“All county mayors remain in regular contact with the governor’s office and the Hawaii Department of Health to methodically ease restrictions as we enter into the holiday season,” said Mayor Victorino. “Thanks to the community’s support, Maui County’s situation is looking very promising.”

Below is the full text of the Governor’s Executive Order:

EXECUTIVE ORDER NO. 21-08
(Statewide Limits for Social Gatherings, Restaurants, Bars,Social Establishments, and Gyms)

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 COVID-19 pandemic, including proclamations that, interalia, suspended certain laws to enable State and county responses to COVID-19, implemented a mandatory self-quarantine 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, the Delta variant, a highly contagious SARS-CoV-2 virus strain, resulted in spiking case numbers around the world and in the United States of America, and continues to cause significant disease transmission in our State;

WHEREAS, the Delta variant changed the course ofthe pandemic in our State, such that 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 rise of COVID-19 cases, hospitalizations, and death as a result of the Delta variant, and the strong recommendation from our Department of Health and other experts assisting in the ongoing COVID-19 response, statewide limits for social gatherings, as well as additional provisions for restaurants, bars, and social establishments, remain necessary; and

WHEREAS indoor activity continues to cause significant disease transmission

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, Hawaii Revised Statutes, and all other applicable authority, do hereby order, effective November 12, 2021 , the following:

I . 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 for indoor activity only while maintaining the required social gathering sizes set forth above and as may be further specified by the counties:

1. Patrons must remain seated with their party.
2. Six feet distancing must be maintained betweengroups.
3. No mingling.
4. 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.

d. Restrictions on Indoor Capacity. For all high-risk activities, indoor capacity is set at 50%, unless the county implements a policy requiring vaccination or a negative COVID-19 test result obtained within 48 hours, in which case, there is no capacity limit. This includes gyms, as well as bars, restaurants, and social establishments, which also are subject to Section 1 .b. above.

2. Statewide limitations set forth herein will not otherwise affect the counties’ COVID-1 9 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. This Emergency Order shall become effective on November 12, 2021, and shall supersede Exhibit F of the Delta Emergency Proclamation, signed on October 1, 2021, and which otherwise continues to remain in effect until November 30, 2021.

APPROVED AS TO FORM:

Clare E. Connors Attorney General
State of Hawai’i

Done at the State Capitol, Honolulu, State of Hawai’i, this 2nd day of November, 2021.