VIDEO and proclamation & more…Mayor Mitch Roth Lifts All County Covid Restrictions

MAYOR ROTH LIFTS ALL COUNTY COVID RESTRICTIONS
Mayor Mitch Roth announces the termination of Hawaiʻi County’s Thirteenth Supplementary Emergency
Proclamation, declaring an end to all County emergency rules related to COVID-19. As a result, effective
immediately, there will no longer be a limit on gathering sizes (indoor and outdoor), which ultimately removes
the County’s coveted mechanism for ‘special gatherings’ review and approval. However, residents must still
adhere to the Governor’s Emergency Proclamation Related to COVID-19 (Omicron Varient), which includes
indoor mask-wearing, Safe Travels requirements, and testing/vaccination requirements for County and State
employees. The Governor’s emergency order will remain in effect until March 25 unless otherwise acted upon.
It is unclear if the Governor will extend his emergency rules beyond then.
“We are excited to announce a new day for Hawaiʻi County as we shift our efforts from response to recovery,”
said Mayor Mitch Roth. “Since taking office in late 2020, our administration has worked tirelessly to manage
the ongoing pandemic through fair and data-driven policies. It’s what has allowed us to keep our community
safe while also allowing our small businesses and large employers to keep their lights on and their employees
working. The decisions we made were challenging and, at times, not always favorable, but we made them with
aloha, with data to back them, and with the best interest of all in mind. We believe in our community and their
ability to do the right thing for everybody. Moving forward, response is in their hands, and we are confident they
will make the right choices for all of us.”
The termination of the Mayor’s Thirteenth Supplementary Emergency Proclamation marks the first time since
February 28, 2020, that Hawaiʻi County is without emergency orders related to COVID-19 – two years to the
day.
“COVID is by no means gone, but we now believe that we are getting to a point where we can learn to live with
the virus,” continued Mayor Roth. “Our medical professionals and frontline first responders have shown that we
are capable of moving forward cautiously. We have the resources, we have the want, and we have the capacity.
If we have to pivot, we will. But for now, we remain optimistic and ready to tackle the challenges ahead –
together.”

Mayor’s COVID-19 Emergency  Rule No. 20 Repealed Effective February  28, 2022

Governor David Ige’s Statewide Emergency Proclamation related to COVID-19 (Omicron Variant) dated January 26, 2022, remains in effect, and continues the State’s Safe Travels program and face covering requirements while in indoor public settings.

Pursuant to the authority vested in me by Hawai’i Revised Statutes Chapter 127A and Chapter 7, Articles 1 and 2 of the Hawai’i County Code of the County of Hawai’i, as amended, and the Constitution and laws of the State of Hawai’i, I, MITCHELL D. ROTH, Mayor of the County of Hawai’i, hereby repeal the Mayor’s COVID-19 Emergency Rule No. 20 effective February 28, 2022 at 12:00 p.m. HST.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and caused the Seal of the County of Hawai’i to be affixed.  Done this 28111 day of February, 2022 in Hilo, Hawai’i.

TERMINATION OF THIRTEENTH SUPPLEMENTARY EMERGENCY PROCLAMATION

WHEREAS, pursuant to Chapter 127A Hawai’i Revised Statutes, Chapter 7, Articles 1 and 2 of the Hawai’i County Code, Section 13-23 of the Hawai’i County Charter, and the Constitution and laws of the State of Hawai’i, the Mayor of the County of Hawai’i issued an Emergency Proclamation on February 28, 2020, declaring a state of emergency due to the outbreak of COVID-19 being recognized as a public health emergency of international concern and a public health emergency for the United States; and

WHEREAS, on March 4, 2020, the Governor of the State of Hawai’i issued a Proclamation declaring a state of emergency based upon the actions and directives of the President of the United States, the World Health Organization, the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and current conditions warranting preemptive and protective actions related to the outbreak of COVID-19; and

WHEREAS, since March 4, 2020, the Governor of the State of Hawai’i has issued multiple Emergency Proclamations related to COVID-19; and

WHEREAS, the Governor of the State of Hawai’i’s Emergency Proclamation related to COVID-19 (Omicron Variant) dated January 26, 2022, remains in effect; and

WHEREAS, since February 28 2020, the Mayor of the County of Hawai’i has issued multiple Emergency Proclamations and Emergency Rules related to COVID-19; and

WHEREAS, the number of COVID-19 cases have significantly declined and as of February 28, 2022, the seven-day average of COVID-19 cases on Hawai’i Island is 28 and the test positivity rate is 3.5%.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, MITCHELL D. ROTH, Mayor of the County of Hawai’i, do hereby proclaim and declare that the state of emergency previously proclaimed for the County of Hawai’i in the Thirteenth Supplementary Emergency Proclamation, due to the imminent danger or threat of emergency on Hawai ‘i Island from the COVID-19 pandemic, is hereby terminated effective February 28, 2022 at 12:00 p.m. HST.

County of Hawai’i is an Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer.

Termination of Thirteenth Supplementary Emergency Proclamation Page 2 of 2

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and caused the Seal of the

County of Hawai’i to be affixed. Done this 281

day of February, 202n Hawai’i.