Honolulu Mayor Rick Blangiardi has extended coronavirus restrictions until mid-March, despite reports that new cases have been low in the state for 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 advance us on a purposeful and scientific basis,” Blangiardi said in a statement, reported the Star Advertiser.
“To successfully minimize the spread of this virus during events such as Super Bowl weekend, Valentine’s Day and beyond, the key to getting more of Oahu back to work, school and back into the community activities we desperately need,” he said. added.
The state is currently working on ‘Tier 2’ exclusions, which means that social distance and masks are needed, only five people from the same household can eat together and indoor facilities such as gyms can only work at 25 percent.
The restrictions are expected to be relaxed by March 15, although the date may change depending on how things in the state look in the coming weeks.
Some states have already begun lifting Montana restrictions get rid of mask requirements completely against the advice of health officials.
Many hope that the coronavirus vaccine will be the key to reopening the country. The Centers for Disease Control & 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 travel quarantine rules to the state.
Hawaii has seen more than 26,000 cases and more than 400 deaths due to the coronavirus.