Honolulu Mayor Rick Blangiardi has extended the coronavirus restrictions to mid-March, despite reports that there have been few new cases in the state in the past two weeks.
“The health and safety of everyone in the city and County of Honolulu remains our top priority and I want to move us forward in a way that is considered and based on science,” Blangiardi said in a statement, reported the star advertiser
“Successfully minimizing the spread of this virus during occasions such as Super Bowl weekend, Valentine’s Day, and beyond is key to getting more of Oahu back to work, school, and back in the community activities we desperately need,” he added.
The state is currently on “Tier 2” lockdowns, meaning social distancing and masks are required, only five people from the same household can eat out together, and indoor facilities such as gyms can only operate for 25 percent.
The restrictions will be relaxed on March 15, although that date may change depending on how things look in the state in the coming weeks.
Some states have already begun to lift restrictions, including Montana get rid of of mask requirements altogether, against the advice of health officials.
Many hope that the coronavirus vaccines will be the key to opening up the country again. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have already said that those who have the vaccine are no longer under the same quarantine regulations as those without it, although Hawaii is waiting for more information from the agency before it changes quarantine regulations for travelers to the state.
Hawaii has seen more than 26,000 cases and more than 400 deaths from the coronavirus.