Oʻahu Will See Fewer Restrictions Starting Thursday

Low COVID-19 case counts mean the island will reopen a little more starting Feb. 25.

Get ready for larger gatherings and restaurants operating at full capacity on Oʻahu starting Thursday, as Honolulu county moves to the less-restrictive Tier 3 of the city’s four-tier economic recovery plan.

“We will officially move to Tier 3, and with that comes a really nice relaxation in rules and restrictions that have been imposed on us all these many months,” said Honolulu Mayor Rick Blangiardi at a press conference. “With that comes a lot of relief.”

What does that mean?

• Social gatherings can have up to 10 people, up from five.
• A group dining at a restaurant can have up to 10 people.
• Retailers and restaurants will be able to operate without any capacity restrictions, from 50% now.
• Gyms can have up to 50% capacity (from 25%).
• Twenty-five people can attend funerals, up from 10.

The Hawaiʻi Department of Health reported 47 new COVID-19 cases on Tuesday, bringing the state total to 27,270. Honolulu has been in Tier 2 since Oct. 22.