Honolulu Mayor Rick Blangiardi has extended coronavirus restrictions until mid-March, although new cases have been reported in the state in the past two weeks.
“The health and safety of everyone in the city and county of Honolulu remains our top priority and I want to move forward in a deliberate, science-based way,” Blangiardi said in a statement, reported Star-Advertiser.
“Successfully minimizing the spread of this virus on occasions like Super Bowl weekend, Valentine’s Day and beyond is the key to returning to Oahu to work, school and community activities that we desperately need it, ”he added.
Currently, the state has “Level 2” closures, ie social distances and masks are required, only five people in the same household can go out to eat together and indoor facilities such as gyms can only operate with one capacity of 25%.
Restrictions are expected to ease on March 15, although that date may change depending on how cases are viewed in the state in the coming weeks.
Some states have already begun lifting restrictions, with Montana undoing of mask requirements completely, against the advice of health officials.
Many expect coronavirus vaccines to be the key to allowing the country to open a backup. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has already said that those who have the vaccine no longer meet the same quarantine rules as those who do not, although Hawaii is waiting for more information from the agency before changing its rules. quarantine for travelers to the state.
Hawaii has seen more than 26,000 cases and more than 400 coronavirus deaths.