Honolulu Mayor Rick Blangiardi extended coronavirus restrictions until mid-March, despite reports of new cases that have remained low in the state for the past two weeks.
“The health and safety of everyone in the city and in Honolulu County remains our top priority and I want to move forward in a way that is deliberate and based on science,” Blangiardi said in a statement, the star advertiser reported.
“Successfully minimizing the spread of this virus during times like Super Bowl weekend, Valentine’s Day and beyond, is the key to getting Oahu back to work, school and community activities that we desperately need” , he added.
The state is currently in a “Tier 2” block, which means social distance and masks are needed, only five people from the same house can go out to eat together and indoor facilities like gyms can only operate at 25% capacity.
The restrictions are expected to be relaxed by March 15, although that date may change depending on the appearance of cases in the state in the coming weeks.
Some states have already begun to lift restrictions, with Montana get rid of of mask requirements completely, against the advice of health officials.
Many are hoping that coronavirus vaccines will be the key to allowing the country to recover. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have already said that those who have the vaccine are no longer under the same quarantine rules as those without it, although Hawaii is waiting for more information from the agency before changing its quarantine rules for travelers to state.
Hawaii has seen more than 26,000 cases and more than 400 deaths from coronavirus.