Happy Thanksgiving!

• The Hawaii Safe Travels Program;
• The indoor mask mandate;
• The vaccination or testing requirements for state and county workers; and
• The vaccination or testing requirements for contractors and visitors to state facilities.

As of Dec. 1, the counties are on their own; no longer required to get Governor or Hawaii Emergency Management Agency (HIEMA) approval prior to issuing county emergency orders, rules or proclamations. Counties continue to have direct responsibility for emergency management.

• The HIEMA will continue its various support functions.
• The Dept. of Health will continue to issue public health guidance.
• Executive Order 21-08, issued on Nov. 2, 2021 regarding Statewide Limits for Social Gatherings, Restaurants, Bars, Social Establishments, and Gyms, will end on Dec. 1, 2021. It will be up to the counties to implement measures for social gatherings, restaurant operations, social establishments and other venues.

• Extensions for driver’s license renewals, instruction permits, and replacements are ending as of Nov. 29, 2021.
• Consistent with the federal and state implementation of vaccination and testing policies, the state will no longer offer a Critical Infrastructure workers’ exemption to the 10-day travel quarantine. Exemptions for persons who previously tested positive for COVID-19 and other exemptions will continue to be considered.

Honolulu Has Added Flexibility:
Starting December 1, 2021, Honolulu businesses and events will have additional flexibility in their operations.  The Safe Access Oahu program will only apply to operations and events that serve food and drinks or that have indoor exercise activities. While no capacity limitations will be placed on businesses and events in Honolulu, all events, whether indoors or outdoors, will require facial coverings/masks. For helpful information and an infographic to show the loosened restrictions on social gatherings, businesses, and events, click here.

HDOT and partners kick off “No Excuses” Campaign  
One wish this holiday season is for everyone to arrive alive. To make this wish come true, the Hawaii Department of Transportation (HDOT), Hawaii State Department of Health, four county police departments, MADD Hawaii, community members and other traffic safety partners are are partnering to remind everyone to drive safely, be mindful of all roadway users and buckle up. If we all take these simple steps, our friends and family can ring in the New Year together.There will be several safety campaign activities of enforcement and education throughout the coming weeks.  For a list of educational/safety events taking place, click here.

Tips for Celebrating Thanksgiving Safely: DOH
The Hawaii Department of Health shares the following tips and safety measures for the holiday season:

• Celebrate with fully vaccinated people.
• Stay away from others if you are sick, have symptoms or have COVID-19. Get tested in you have COVID-19 symptoms.
• Limit gathering size to a small group, especially if dining indoors.
• Wear face masks indoors when not eating, and when with people from outside your household.
• Wear a face mask outdoors in crowded gatherings or with unvaccinated people.
• Gather outdoors if possible.
• Spread out and allow plenty of space for everyone.
• Set tables so people from the same households sit together.
• Limit possible exposure by keeping gatherings short in duration.
• Avoid places with poor airflow and improve airflow where possible.
• Keep your hands clean.
• Take extra precautions to protect seniors and the those who are immunocompromised.
• Do not travel unless fully vaccinated.

If you are not yet vaccinated against COVID-19, starting the two-dose primary vaccine series this week will ensure full-vaccination status in time for the New Year.  More information is available at https://hawaiicovid19.com/vaccine/

Energy-Efficient Thanksgiving