Face masks are no longer required outdoors in Hawaii, effective immediately.
This was announced by Gov. David Ige in a recent news conference following his signing of the May 25 emergency proclamation relaxing the mask restrictions, according to the Nineteenth Proclamation Related to the COVID-19 Emergency.
Additionally, ocean and other outdoor sports restrictions have been lifted. Permits for ocean sports will be granted to establishments as long as they follow public health and safety protocols.
Gov. David Ige
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“The public health measures that we implemented for the state of Hawaii, along with the success of our vaccine program and the cooperation of our residents across the state, have brought us to this point,” Ige said, according to a press release from his office. “We made these decisions based on the data and guidance from our public health officials.”
While it is no longer required to wear a mask outdoors, it is still recommended to wear one when in large groups. In addition, the indoor mandate remains unchanged.
“The virus is still circulating in our community, and unvaccinated people are particularly at risk,” Ige stated, according to the press release. “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.”
Mayor Mitch Roth of the Big Island said he is excited to move towards normalcy, as ocean sports are being allowed to resume.
“Our ocean sports are a staple of our island community,” Roth said, reported by Big Island Now. “They are paramount in getting back to the health, safety, and sanity of our island residents.”
Ige also stated that Hawaii is nearly at 1.5 million doses of COVID-19 vaccine administered statewide. Furthermore, the daily two-week average of newly identified cases is decreasing toward 50, according to Big Island Now.
Hawaii residents who have been vaccinated can travel between islands without taking a pre- or post-COVID-19 test.