Mayor Rick Blangiardi (I-Honolulu) is considering lifting or loosening some restrictions that are currently on bars, restaurants and youth sports because of COVID-19 as a way to help improve Oahu's economy, a Hawaii News Now report said.
“I believe that they are owners, and they are responsible people, and that they’re ready to enforce themselves, what they will do with respect to our restaurants and buyers,” Blangiardi said, as reported by Hawaii News Now.
According to the report, Blangiardi will meet with the Honolulu Liquor Commission and the Hawaii Restaurant Association to discuss an easement of the current restrictions due to the pandemic.
Though some do believe this is a step in the right direction, others believe this is a step taken too late due to some restaurants have already closed its doors as a result of business loss due to the coronavirus.
"In order to advance to tier four, the seven-day average needs to stay below 20 for two weeks which hasn’t happened since July," the report said.