Hawaii Removes Its Outdoor Mask Mandate
Hawaii has taken a big step forward in welcoming back visitors to the Aloha State. It has removed its outdoor mask mandate for all visitors, whether they are vaccinated or not.
That’s right, visitors can walk Hawaii’s beaches and hiking trails, and take in its magnificent outdoor views without the need to wear a mask.
The state lifted its outdoor mask mandate on Tuesday and this has allowed its famous surfing competitions to restart in June.
Mandate Hawaii is Getting Back to Normal
In addition to the surf competitions, team sports including baseball and soccer have also been given the green light to begin on June 1. Hawaii Governor David Ige said in an announcement that, “The success of our vaccine program and the cooperation of our residents across the state, have brought us to this point.”
Stacy Small is founder and CEO of Elite Travel International and she told Travel + Leisure, “It’s the news we have been waiting for out here in Hawaii.”
Hawaii Does Away With Its Outdoor Mask Mandate
Many of her clients reside in states that have lifted their mask mandates she said. She also indicated that there could soon be changes to the state’s pre-arrival COVID-19 testing protocols For now, all visitors to Hawaii, including those who have been vaccinated, are required to test negative for COVID-19 prior to arrival or undergo a mandatory 10-day quarantine.
At this point in time Hawaii continues to require people to wear face masks indoors. Ige said, “Until more people are vaccinated, we must continue to take precautions indoors and outdoors in large groups for the safety of our loved ones, neighbors, and communities.”
Hawaii Lifts Outdoor Mask Mandate
According to the state’s latest official data, Hawaii’s COVID-19 positivity rate is now a tiny 1%. Overall the state has administered almost 1.5 million coronavirus vaccines, meaning that roughly 49% of the population are fully vaccinated against COVID-19.
Several other states have also lifted their mask mandates in response to the CDC’s guidance which states that they longer recommend masks for vaccinated people in most indoor or outdoor settings.
Hawaii has taken a more conservative approach to rolling back its coronavirus restrictions and still recommends face masks outdoors in large groups. “The virus is still circulating in our community, and unvaccinated people are particularly at risk,” Ige said.
In Oahu, the home to world famous Waikiki Beach and Diamond Head, social gatherings are limited to 10 people or fewer.
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