The Senate is reinforcing pre-existing protocols and implementing several new measures to prevent and mitigate the spread of COVID-19 while maintaining an open and transparent legislative process.
Protocols include:
- Workplace best practices: all employees must wear a face mask, practice social distancing, limit physical contact, and practice good personal hygiene.
- Cleaning and disinfecting conference rooms and the Senate chamber before and after each use.
- Providing employees with personal protective equipment (PPE) and cleaning supplies.
- Installing protective sneeze guards, signage, hand sanitizer dispensers, and air purifiers and reconfiguring work areas.
- Conducting meetings, hearings, floor sessions, and staff training virtually.
- Conducting new employee onboarding online with minimal personal interaction.
- When possible, allowing employees to work remotely to reduce the number of individuals physically present at the Capitol.
The State Capitol building remains closed will remain closed and the Senate will conduct all committee hearings and floor session virtually. Citizens will have the opportunity to provide testimony in writing and via video conference, allowing broader participation by those who previously were not able to get to the State Capitol.
Changes include, using Zoom for online meetings; option to have hybrid meetings, and virtual testimony. All Senate standing committee hearings will be live streamed on YouTube and will be available online and on demand at: youtube.com/hawaiisenate.
The legislative session convenes on January 20, 2021 and adjourns sine die on April 29, 2021.
These new practices and protocols have been adopted in accordance with CDC guidelines, the City and County of Honolulu’s tiered reopening system and are subject to change.
More information will be made available on the Capitol website: www.capitol.hawaii.gov.