Hawaii’s governor has issued an executive order that will lift a number of COVID-19 restrictions later this month.
According to the official, indoor pubs, restaurants, and gyms in counties where customers must provide proof of vaccination or a recent negative COVID-19 test to be admitted will be able to operate at full capacity.
From Nov. 12, these prohibitions will no longer apply to outside services at the same venues.
Hawaii has displayed a strong leadership capable of enforcing strict coronavirus restrictions when the state has needed them. Luckily, that’s no longer the case.
At a press briefing, the governor informed that their proactive vaccination drive has greatly contributed to reducing infections, hospitalizations, and deaths to a level that allows restrictions to be eased.
As of today, over 60 percent of Hawaiians have been fully immunized.
Addressing citizens, the governor said that “the vaccination is the most widespread and important mitigation measure during this pandemic that each of us can take personal action to implement.”
The government disclosed that the continuation of the restrictions will be based upon the daily infection rate, which currently stands at 121 average.
In order to encourage more people to get vaccinated, the governor promised that if that number falls below 100 and stays there, he would consider removing the indoor mask mandate.
As per news outlets, he aims to reduce or lift most restrictions by Christmas in order to attract more tourists to the islands without undermining the progress they have already made.
However, other local politicians are not willing to wait that long for tourists to return.
According to HawaiiNewsNow.com, Honolulu Mayor Rick Blangiardi moved forward with the eased restrictions on Nov. 3.
Although he has not exactly the state’s approval, he committed to requiring event and party-goers to be fully vaccinated, being the only exception kids 12 and under who are not eligible for a vaccine.
“We are going in a separate direction,” Blangiardi said. “The state understands that and we have accepted full responsibility at the City and County. It’s a new acceptable norm. Our public health is top of mind, but the time has come for us to move forward.”