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Hawaii to lift some restaurant, bar capacity limits as COVID-19 count drops

ASSOCIATED PRESS
                                 Customers walk past a sign last month reminding people to have their vaccination cards ready at Highway Inn restaurant in Kakaako.

ASSOCIATED PRESS

Customers walk past a sign last month reminding people to have their vaccination cards ready at Highway Inn restaurant in Kakaako.

Hawaii Gov. David Ige said today he will lift restaurant, bar and gym capacity limits in counties that require proof of vaccination or a negative COVID-19 test to enter such businesses.

Counties that don’t require such proof will have to continue to demand that restaurants, bars and gyms cap the number of patrons in their establishments at 50% of what they are normally able to fit. Currently, Honolulu and Maui are the only counties to require proof of vaccination or test results to enter such businesses. Kauai and Hawaii counties do not do so.

The changes take effect Nov. 12.

“As you all have heard for the last several months, the vaccination is the most widespread and important mitigation measure during this pandemic,” Ige said at a news conference.

In another change, Ige said those who are outdoors at restaurants, bars and and social establishments won’t have to maintain 6 feet social distance and wear masks as currently required.

The governor said he believes vaccinations should continue to be required of spectators at outdoor entertainment venues like football stadiums. Masking and vaccination rules allow such events to be held safely, he said.

“We still are requiring vaccinations, especially for those large gatherings, when people will not be required to maintain physical distancing,” Ige said.

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