By Alfred Acenas
EBC Hawaii Bureau
HONOLULU, HAWAII (Eagle News) – Honolulu Police Department (HPD) Chief Susan Ballard announced on Thursday, April 9 that a three-night curfew will be enforced throughout Oahu from 11:00pm to 5:00am beginning on Friday, April 10, in hopes of stemming the spread of the novel coronavirus 2019 (COVID19) on the island.
Details on the curfew include the following:
1. The order applies to all wheeled vehicles on the roads, including mopeds, bicycles, and scooters.
2. Exceptions to the curfew include emergencies; first responders and security personnel; as well as those driving to and from work, making deliveries, or picking up medications.
3. People will still be allowed to walk within their communities.
Honolulu Mayor Kirk Caldwell wrote on Twitter, “I know this is a 3-day weekend but please, don’t gather. If you’re going out to get some exercise, do so, then return home. I can’t express enough how important it is for everyone to continue to social distance and stay at home. Now is not the time to let our guard down.”
In addition, state and local law officials continue to enforce the Stay at Home/Work from Home emergency order that went into effect throughout Hawaii on March 25. As of April 8, HPD has issued 5,248 warnings, 700 citations, and 41 arrests for violations. Penalties may include a fine of up to $5,000, one year of imprisonment, or both.
Earlier today, Mayor Caldwell also asked the City’s Salary Commission to not recommend any pay raises for himself, other public officials, and department heads this year due to the ongoing battle against the pandemic.
“Our battle against this COVID19 virus requires all of our energy and attention right now,” said Caldwell. “So many on Oahu are worried about how they will pay their rent or if they will have a job to go back to once things open back up. We can reevaluate things, like salary for City officials and the appropriate departments, once this pandemic is over, but right now is not the time.”
Out of the 442 cases of COVID19 confirmed so far in the Aloha State, 334 (over 75%) are on Oahu. There are roughly 900,000 living on the island.
(Eagle News Service)