Honolulu Mayor Kirk Caldwell on Sunday, May 22, has issued a “stay at home, work at home” order for residents effective Monday, May 23, at 4:30 p.m. through April 30.
Mayor Caldwell said on Sunday, Mar. 22, all four county mayors had a conference call to discuss solutions, given the increase in COVID-19 cases in the state to 56, with 41 of them on O’ahu. Kaua’i Derek Kawakami had previously issued a 9 p.m. to 5 a.m. curfew.
Caldwell said residents may leave home to perform essential services, including tasks essential for health and safety, to obtain necessary services or supplies, to work providing essential products and services, to engage in outdoor activity, to care for a family member or pet. Hotel workers are deemed essential, as are workers at restaurants providing take out services. No dine-in services are allowed.
He said places of worship need to comply, although he said most churches on O’ahu and many in the state are already complying in order to keep members of their congregation away from close contact with others. He said if the Department of Education resumes classes, that would be an exemption, but Caldwell suspects the DOE will continue to keep schools closed.
Caldwell also said he believes the Governor and mayors of other counties will be issuing more stringent guidelines soon.
Caldwell urged everybody to practice social distancing, and stay 6 feet away from others. He also noted this is a new situation, worldwide, and the City and County of Honolulu will continue to focus on best practices. He said this order is about protecting the citizens of the island.
Maui County Mayor Michael Victorino has also issued a “stay at home work at home” order effective Wednesday, Mar. 25, 2020 at 12:01 a.m. Governor David Ige issued a statement on Sunday, Mar. 22, supporting the orders for both O’ahu and Maui.
