Oahu will require that all patrons at bars, restaurants, museums, and gyms present proof of vaccination.
The emergency order was issued by Rick Blangiardi, Oahu mayor.
To combat the highest Covid-19 cases in Hawaii since the pandemic, the "Safe Access Oahu” program is being implemented on Hawaii's largest island. This includes Honolulu as well as the Waikiki resort. The state's hospitals are experiencing increasing pressure.
"We don’t want a lockdown," Blangiardi stated during an Aug. 30, press conference to announce the program. "I have confirmed that I said this. We don't need a lockdown. We don't want a lockdown. But, we all need to work together to ensure that we don’t have to. This is a safe and effective way to get it done.
There are several exceptions to the new regulation and it will be reviewed after a trial period of 60-days. Children under 12 years of age are not eligible for the policy. The policy does not apply to employees of affected businesses that aren't vaccinated. They must provide proof each week of a negative Covid-19 testing result.
Customers who do not have proof of vaccination must show a negative Covid-19 result from the past 48 hours. Customers who enter a business to pick up take-out or other food for less than fifteen minutes are exempted from this requirement.
Blangiardi stated that he works to find a balance between health and safety and business and economic needs.
The order also applies to restaurants, museums, and gyms. The policy does not apply to farmers markets and grocery stores.
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After being permitted until midnight, alcohol service must be stopped at 10 p.m. within the 60-day period.
"Don't stop eating at restaurants. We need you. We need your business. We need to move on from this. So we support the mayor's proposal because we need an ending. "We need this to end," stated Greg Maples, chairman, Hawaii Restaurant Association. He was present at Blangiardi’s press conference, which announced the new regulation.
Maples encouraged everyone to get vaccinated. He said that the mayor and county collaborated with the association in creating the policy. This could decrease restaurant patronage as many establishments are just beginning to recover from the financial woes of 2020. He hopes that the new rules will restore trust in the dining public.
He said, "We have the potential for creating an environment in which people feel so comfortable that we may get more business in our restaurants."
According to the Hawaii Health Department, 63% of the state’s population have been fully vaccinated.
After the rapid rise in Covid-19 cases during August, the new program was created. This is due to the widespread spread of the delta variant. The state set records twice in a week for the highest number reported cases in a single day. Some hospitals reached capacity in their ICUs, while many are cancelling elective procedures.
The new policy will be in effect from mid-September. Customers who have been inoculated can either present a printed copy of their vaccination card, or take a picture of it on their smartphone.
Blangiardi suggested that mandatory vaccinations could be required for Oahu if the situation does not improve.
The mayor stated that he wanted the initiative to be more appealing and common-sense in its efforts to fight the delta variant, where we are with case count and for the benefit of the community. "This is our attempt to help community spread, and to take the best steps possible in places people love to go.
