Gov. David Ige today announced new statewide restrictions on the movements and activities of Hawaii residents in the lastest ramp-up of the effort to limit the spread of the coronavirus in Hawaii, but the order includes a long list of work and other activities that will still be allowed.

State officials also announced they will extend state corporate and personal income tax filing deadlines from April 20 to July 20 to allow some state residents and businesses to hang on to some of their cash for three months longer. Federal officials announced an extension of the federal tax filing deadline last week.

The activity restrictions are designed to get people to stay home except for travel to and from what are deemed to be “essential” businesses or operations that cannot be done online or through other remote technology. The order states that work at all other businesses not identified as critical must cease.

Up to now the counties have each adopted their own restrictions on the movements of residents and visitors during the COVID-19 crisis, ranging from a nighttime curfew on Kauai to Mayor Kirk Caldwell’s announcement Sunday that he is imposing a limited lockdown for Honolulu.

The new state policy essentially matches the policies of Honolulu and Maui, meaning residents and visitors will be required to stay and home and work from home, with exceptions made for “essential” businesses and services such as health care.

Caldwell’s order took effect at 4:30 p.m. today, and requires all residents to stay and work from home through Thursday, April 30. Ige’s new statewide order takes effect at 12:01 a.m. on Wednesday. Failure to comply with the order will be punishable by fines of up to $5,000 and a year in jail.

“These actions are extreme but necessary for us to flatten the curve, and lay the groundwork for our recovery,” Ige told reporters in a conference call today.

Hawaii island thus far has not imposed mandatory restrictions of the movements of residents and visitors apart from closing shoreline access. Hawaii County Mayor Harry Kim said he felt strongly that the state needs a single, unified policy to avoid confusion, and said as much to Ige.

Kim said he has no problem with the new restrictions, but held off on imposing them on Hawaii island because the county had not yet reached what he considers the appropriate threshold. Thus far there has been no sign of community spread of the virus in Hawaii County.

The county has had only five confirmed coronavirus cases, including two people who are quarantined at home, and one who has fully recovered and has returned home to the mainland.

Kim said he is worried about the damage that will be done to the Hawaii county economy, and told his staff this morning that “Guys, we’re going to see an economic impact I don’t think any of us have ever seen.”

The new state order include a long list of businesses and activities that are exempt, including health care, grocery stores, many retailers, food and beverage production, animal shelters, charitable organizations, media, gas stations and auto repair shops, and hardware stores.

Also excluded are financial institutions, laundry institutions, shipping and delivery operations, construction companies, take-out restaurants, transportation companies, home-care services, professional services, and child-care facilities for the children of essential workers.

Hotels are also excluded are emergency responders and a variety of other government workers. People are also allowed to be out and about for shopping for supplies, exercise, and walking pets.

UPDATE, 3:20 P.M.

Gov. David Ige is holding a press conference live this afternoon about the his stay at home order that begins Wednesday at 12:01 a.m.

Ige also extended the state tax deadline from April 20 to July 20 for 2019 state individual and corporate income taxes.

Department of Education superintendent Christina Kishimoto said she will announce a plan later this week for high school seniors who are graduating.

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Gov. David Ige today will announce a statewide “lockdown” on the movements of Hawaii residents in yet another dramatic escalation of the effort to limit the spread of the coronavirus in Hawaii, the Honolulu Star-Advertiser has learned.

The counties have each adopted their own restrictions on the movements of residents and visitors during the COVID-19 crisis, ranging from a nighttime curfew on Kauai to Mayor Kirk Caldwell’s announcement Sunday that he is imposing a limited lockdown for Honolulu.

Hawaii island thus far has not imposed mandatory restrictions of the movements of residents and visitors apart from closing shoreline access, but Hawaii County Mayor Harry Kim posted a notice on the county’s civil defense web site at 8 a.m today announcing that state action is expected soon.

“The Governor has been working with all counties on a State proclamation to bring cohesion on the polices for this State. This is expected to be completed and in effect by Wednesday, March 25th,” according to the civil defense notice.

Kim said in an interview today the state policy will essentially match the policies of Honolulu and Maui, meaning residents and visitors will be required to stay and home and work from home, with exceptions made for “essential” businesses and services such as health care.

Caldwell’s order takes effect at 4:30 p.m. today, and requires all residents to stay and work from home through Thursday, April 30.

Ige’s new statewide order is expected to take effect at 12:01 a.m. on Wednesday.

Kim said he felt strongly that the state needs one unified policy to avoid confusion, and said as much to Ige.

Kim said he has no problem with the new restrictions, but held off on imposing them on Hawaii island because the county had not yet reached what he considers the appropriate threshold.

Thus far there has been no sign of community spread of the virus in Hawaii County. The county has had only five confirmed coronavirus cases, including two people who are quarantined at home, and one who has fully recovered and has returned home to the mainland, he said.

Kim said he is worried about the damage that will be done to the Hawaii county economy, and told his staff this morning that “Guys, we’re going to see an economic impact I don’t think any of us have ever seen.”