Hawai‘i County Mayor Harry Kim issued an Emergency Rule on 6/12/2020 that reopens most businesses, operations and activities, including short-term vacation rentals. Exceptions such as bars, nightclubs and other specified venues will remain closed.
In accordance with Governor David Y. lge’s Ninth Supplementary Proclamation (“9th Supplementary”), the County and State of Hawaiʻi is within the “Act with Care” phase of the “State Roadmap to Recovery and Resilience.” With the decline of active COVID-19 cases in the County of Hawaiʻi, reopening of more medium risk operations and activities can be allowed.
Unless otherwise specified in this rule, all businesses, operations, and activities are permitted to re-open June 15, 2020, but remain subject to all restrictions and physical distancing requirements of this rule, the 9th Supplementary and any subsequent proclamations or orders, the State Department of Health Reopening Hawai‘i Safe Practices, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (“CDC”) and industry guidelines.
Under Exhibit 5 of the Mayor’s new Rule, the following businesses, operations and activities identified below shall remain closed:
1. Bars
2. Nightclubs
3. Public Swimming Pools
4. Large indoor venues (concerts, sports, conventions, expos)
5. Large outdoor venues (concerts, sports, conventions, expos)
6. Road races (marathons, triathlons, etc.)
However, travel to engage in minimum basic operations of the businesses and operations identified above is allowed, including the minimum necessary activities to maintain the value of the business’s inventory, ensure security, process payroll and employee benefits, and related functions as well as the minimum necessary activities to facilitate employees of the business being able to continue to work remotely from their residences. Minimum basic operations do not include in-person public/customer contact.
Rule 9 increases the number of persons allowed at gatherings, depending on whether the gathering is indoors or outdoors.
“Indoor gatherings of groups of up to 10 persons are permitted with a maximum of 50 people provided that physical distancing and safe practices can be maintained unless a greater amount of people are permitted under this rule.
Outdoor gatherings of groups of up to 10 persons are permitted with a maximum of 100 people provided that physical distancing and safe practices can be maintained unless a greater amount of people are permitted under this rule.”
A section of the Rule, Exhibit 2, deals with County Parks and Recreational Facilities.
New provisions include the following:
• No events or activities with the potential to generate gatherings in excess of the permitted maximum number of persons shall be allowed unless adequate preventative measures are employed by the user to the satisfaction, and with prior approval, of the Director.
• No contact sports events (i.e.: scrimmages, exhibitions, games, tournaments, etc.) are permitted. Controlled practices are allowed provided physical distancing can be adhered to at all times.
The following County of Hawai‘i parks and recreational facilities shall be closed to the general public, Mondays through Fridays, excluding state holidays, for the safe operation of the County’s Summer Fun program and childcare programs approved by the Director of Parks and Recreation:
• Greenwell Park & Sgt. Rodney J. T. Yano Memorial Hall
• Waiākea Uka Park & Stanley Costales Waiākea Uka Gym
• Waimea Community Center
• Pana‘ewa Park
• Hualani Park & Kawananakoa Center
• Carvalho Park & Pi‘ihonua Gym
• Frank Santos Park & Papaikou Gym
• Honoka‘a Park & Honoka‘a Gym
• Waimea District Park
• Ikuo Hisaoka Gym
• Kekuaokalani Gym
• Nā‘ālehu Park
• Rep. Robert N. Herkes Gymnasium & Shelter (Ka‘ū District Gym)
• Pahoa District Park
• Shipman Park
• Richardson Ocean Center
Under the new Rule, the use of Parks and Recreation pavilions and picnic tables can resume.
To request no cost assistance in providing a safe and healthy business for employees and customers, contact the COVID Task Force on Education and Prevention at 935-0031.