An executive order by Gov. David Ige loosening gathering restrictions at restaurants and other establishments will not affect the Big Island.
Ige on Tuesday signed an order that will, beginning Nov. 12, remove restrictions related to restaurants, bars and other social establishments depending on the discretion of the counties.
That order removes current state restrictions for outdoor establishments. Patrons no longer will be required to remain seated with their party, maintain six feet of distance between other parties, and wear masks at all times except when actively eating or drinking.
Meanwhile, indoor establishments can waive the current state rules limiting capacity to 50% if a county has implemented a policy requiring COVID-19 vaccination or a negative COVID test obtained within two days.
But Cyrus Johnasen, spokesman for Mayor Mitch Roth, said there will be no changes to Hawaii County’s gathering restrictions on Nov. 12. Although Roth and other county officials are discussing changes to the county’s gathering restrictions which he hopes to unveil soon, Johnasen reiterated that those changes will not coincide with the executive order’s start date.
“The county emergency order is going to expire soon, so we’re thinking about making new changes,” Johnasen said, referring to Roth’s Emergency Rule No. 18, which was signed Oct. 4 and expires Dec. 3.
Because Ige has allowed the counties to implement their own COVID-19 policies separate from the state’s policies, the county’s gathering restrictions already have differed from those on other islands.
“Our restaurants aren’t necessarily limited to 50% capacity,” Johnasen said. “They’re just limited based on what they can do safely. If they find a way to seat tables six feet apart and keep 70% capacity, then that’s fine.”
The county also has not established any countywide vaccine mandate for businesses, leaving it to them to decide whether to require patrons to be vaccinated.
Email Michael Brestovansky at mbrestovansky@hawaiitribune-herald.com.
