Second Stay at Home Order issued for O‘ahu
News Release from Office of the Mayor, August 25, 2020
HONOLULU – Mayor Kirk Caldwell today announced that Governor David Ige has approved Honolulu’s Emergency Order No. 2020-25, reinstating a “Stay at Home/Work from Home” Order for the island of O‘ahu, effective at 12:00 a.m. on Thursday, August 27, through September 9. The intent of this Order is to curb the rapid spread of the COVID-19 virus and the need to protect all members of the City and County of Honolulu, especially the members of our community most vulnerable to the virus and also our healthcare providers.
The Second Stay at Home/Work from Home Order will be coupled with a massive testing effort with the City and County of Honolulu, the Federal Department of Health and Human Services and the Surgeon General’s Office. The federal government is providing the tests and covering all associated costs with the goal of completing 60,000 tests over 12 days. For more information on this mass testing program, visit DoIneedaCOVID19test.com.
“We need to get this virus under control and the only way we do that is by eliminating opportunities where the virus can spread and identifying where it is,” said Mayor Caldwell. “Asking our island community to Stay at Home and Work from Home for the next two weeks will isolate individuals who may be carrying the virus, and prevent further spread. We’re coupling this effort with mass testing with the Federal Department of Health and Human Services and the Surgeon General’s Office. Being able to identify and then isolate those with the virus, particularly those who are asymptomatic, will give us a major advantage in mitigating the spread of COVID-19 on O‘ahu.”
This latest Emergency Order requires all individuals anywhere on O‘ahu to shelter in place—that is, stay at home and work from home—except for certain essential activities and for all businesses within the City to cease activities, except for certain essential businesses, healthcare operations, essential infrastructure, and essential government functions.
Essential Businesses allowed to operate include, but are not limited to, healthcare operations, grocery stores, gas stations, banks and financial institutions, hardware stores, restaurants for delivery or carryout, in-person spiritual services with modifications, and childcare facilities as described in the Order.
All employees and customers of essential businesses and operations must wear non-medical grade face coverings in public spaces and maintain at least six feet of physical distancing when practicable. All passengers and users of public modes of transportation (TheBus and TheHandi-Van) shall wear non-medical grade face coverings when on board.
Individuals can leave their residence to perform essential activities or essential work as outlined in the Order, or to get a COVID-19 test. People can also leave to engage in outdoor activity in locations as allowed by law. Individuals can still transit across or through beaches to access the ocean water for outdoor exercise purposes, such as surfing, solo paddling, and swimming.
Indoor and outdoor social gatherings of any type continue to be prohibited. Retail businesses, real estate businesses, restaurants for dine-in, auto dealerships, and golf courses shall remain closed at this time.
Honolulu’s Emergency Order No. 2020-25 will be posted at Honolulu.gov.
Violation of this Order is punishable as a misdemeanor, with fines of up to $5,000, up to a year in jail, or both.
If you have any questions on Mayor Caldwell’s reinstated Stay at Home/Work from Home Order, the City and County of Honolulu COVID-19 information call center is open from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, except on holidays. O‘ahu residents are encouraged to visit the website, oneoahu.org to get answers to frequently asked questions. If they do not find an answer to their questions on the site, residents can call the 768-CITY (2489) information hotline or email covidresponse@honolulu.gov.
* * * * *
Related: 08/25/20 TheBus and TheHandi-Van will require masks to ride, no exceptions
Coverage: