City allows managed events with enhanced safety measures

Social gathering sizes remain unchanged

News Release from City and County of Honolulu, October 8, 2021

HONOLULU – Mayor Rick Blangiardi is pleased to announce the City and County of Honolulu is once again allowing managed events to proceed this month, with enhanced safety measures to protect attendees and prevent the spread of COVID-19.

“We sincerely thank everyone who has received their vaccination and helped stop the surging COVID-19 numbers, reducing the pressure on our hospitals and healthcare workers,” said Mayor Rick Blangiardi. “Because of the stellar combined efforts from our community, we are excited to begin allowing attendance at sporting events, weddings, and professionally structured live events, such as concerts, live theater, etc. This is about acknowledging the efforts of the majority of our people who have done their part to keep our communities safe. I think it is now fair to say, we fully recognize we all need to learn to live with COVID-19, while we rebuild our local economy and balance our overall public health.”

“The easing of restrictions is a direct result of our community working together in the best interest of public health and safety,” said Governor David Ige. “However, this is not an “all clear” and the pandemic is far from over. With input from public health specialists, we continue to determine the amount of risk we can accept in easing restrictions in a measured way. Our goal is to safely manage our health care/public health infrastructure with the continued presence of COVID-19, while working to rebuild a robust economy.”

“Hospitals are still busy, but we have reached a point where hospital census should no longer be a leading indicator of the need for restrictions. Hawai‘i hospital leadership believes that it is time for state and county leaders to consider steps to open up safely for business,” said Hilton Raethel, President and CEO of the Healthcare Association of Hawaii.

Beginning Oct. 13, outdoor seated entertainment events, including sporting arenas and concert venues, are allowed at 50% capacity or a maximum of 1,000 attendees (whichever is smaller). Attendees must be vaccinated, masked, and physically distanced. A mitigation plan is required. Other than water, no food or beverages are allowed. Those who are working at the event (employees, contractors, vendors, etc.) must comply with Safe Access O‘ahu protocols.

Beginning Oct. 20, indoor seated entertainment venues are allowed at 50% capacity or a maximum of 500 attendees (whichever is smaller). Attendees must be vaccinated, masked, and physically distanced. A mitigation plan is required. Other than water, no food or beverages are allowed. Those who are working at the event (employees, contractors, vendors, etc.) must comply with Safe Access O‘ahu protocols.

Beginning Oct. 20, outdoor interactive events, including traditional gatherings such as weddings and funerals, are allowed at 50% capacity or a maximum of 150 attendees (who are vaccinated) and event staff (whichever is smaller) who are masked. A mitigation plan is required. Food and beverages are allowed, as is masked mingling and interaction. Those who are working at the event (employees, contractors, vendors, etc.) must comply with Safe Access O‘ahu protocols.

In addition, golf tournaments will be allowed with 100% of participants vaccinated beginning Oct. 13. The Safe Access O‘ahu program is required if dining at the golf course.

Road races and triathlons are allowed with a maximum of 500 vaccinated participants, and staggered starts of groups with no more than 25 people, beginning Oct. 13. 

The last call for alcohol will be extended to midnight at bars and restaurants with a valid liquor license, effective immediately upon signing the new order.

Social gathering sizes for all other events will follow current guidelines of 10 people indoors and 25 people outdoors.

For more information please visit: https://www.oneoahu.org/safe-oahu-response-plan

On O‘ahu, more than 72% of the total population is now fully vaccinated and more than 84% of the eligible population is fully vaccinated. The vaccine is safe and effective and we urge all eligible people to learn more and find a vaccination location by visiting: https://www.oneoahu.org/vaccine

O‘ahu residents are encouraged to visit https://www.oneoahu.org/ for more information and access to resources. The City’s COVID-19 information call center remains open every day from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., except on holidays. People can call the 768-CITY (2489) information hotline or email: covidresponse@honolulu.gov 

—PAU—

SA: WATCH LIVE: Gov. Ige, Honolulu Mayor Blangiardi to ease COVID-19 restrictions on Oahu in phases, starting next week

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