Honolulu Mayor Rick Blangiardi extended coronavirus restrictions until mid-March, despite reports of new cases falling in the state in the past two weeks.
“The health and safety of everyone in Honolulu City and County remains our top priority and I want to move forward in a deliberate and science-based manner.” Blangiardi said in a statement, reported Star-Advertiser.
“Successfully minimizing the spread of this virus on occasions such as Super Bowl Weekend, Valentine’s Day and beyond, is the key to bringing more of Oahu back to work, school and back into the community activities we desperately need,” he added. .
The state is currently on “Level 2” blockages, which means that social distances and masks are needed, only five people in the same household can go out to eat together, and indoor facilities, such as gyms, can only operate at one capacity. of 25%.
Restrictions are set to be relaxed until March 15, although this date may change depending on the appearance of cases in the state in the coming weeks.
Some states have already begun lifting restrictions with Montana get rid of mask requirements in full, against the recommendation of health officials
Many hope that coronavirus vaccines will be the key to allowing the country to open back. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has already said that those who have the vaccine are no longer under the same quarantine rules as those without it, although Hawaii is waiting for more information from the agency before changing its quarantine rules for state travel. .
Hawaii has more than 26,000 cases and more than 400 coronavirus deaths.