HONOLULU (Eagle News) – Hawaii Governor David Ige and Honolulu Mayor Rick Blangiardi have agreed that the Island of Oahu will continue to operate in Tier 3 of the reopening strategy for the next four weeks, meaning that businesses and activities will continue operations without reverting back to the Tier 2 guidelines.

“I would like to thank Governor Ige for his support and allowing the community to stay in Tier 3, which has a profound impact on our businesses, families and community,” said Blangiardi. “We are focused on the broader definition of health, and I believe moving back to Tier 2 at this point would have had a tremendous negative impact on the overall health and economic recovery, including the impacts on livelihoods, jobs, and mental and emotional health.”

“The next four weeks are critical in determining if we can continue in Tier 3 or are forced to take a step backwards. We need the community to help guide the cause and prevent the spread of the virus by wearing masks, staying physically distanced and getting the vaccine if you are able to,” the mayor stressed. “The more people being vaccinated brings us that much closer to a day when we can eliminate the tier system altogether, but we must have community support, so please continue practicing the safety measures that have made Hawaii the best in the country in terms of low case counts, positivity rate, hospitalizations, and mortality rate.”

Previously approved Tier 3 modifications will continue as announced, which includes permitted youth outdoor sports which is set to begin April 12 and permitted adult outdoor league sports beginning April 19.

On March 26, Governor Ige approved Oahu’s Tier 3 modification to allow up to 100 people for weddings and wedding-related events.

As of April 7, Oahu has been averaging 58 new cases daily with a positivity rate of 2.0 percent. To remain in Tier 3, the island’s new case average needs to be below 50.

(Eagle News Service)