HONOLULU (KHON2) — Honolulu Mayor Kirk Caldwell announced that he signed an emergency order which involves Oahu residents to stay at home and work from home.

This will go into effect on Monday, March 23, at 4:30 p.m. and will end on April 30 at 4:30 p.m. The mayor says that the April 30 date can be extended even further, or shortened, depending on the situation or shortened.

“I believe that in all likelihood that it’ll be extended beyond April 30,” he said.

This is with the exception of essential activities. The mayor says that these activities include:

  • Tasks essential to their health and safety
  • To obtain necessary services, supplies
  • To engage in outdoor activity in locations permitted by law
  • To perform work providing essential products and services
  • To care for a family member or pet in another household

For essential businesses:

  • Healthcare operations and essential infrastructure
  • Establishments engaged in the retail sale of food and other household consumer products
  • Food cultivation
  • Service providers for homeless or impoverished individuals
  • Newspapers, television, radio, and other media services
  • Gas stations and auto-supply, auto-repair and related facilities
  • Banks and related financial institutions
  • Hardware stores
  • Maintenance service providers (plumbers, electricians, exterminators, etc)
  • Businesses providing making and shipping and delivery services
  • Educational institution providing distance learning
  • Laundry service providers
  • Facilities that prepare and service food, but only for delivery or carry out
  • Businesses that supply products needed for people to work from home
  • Businesses that supply other essential business with the support or supplies necessary to operate
  • Airlines, taxis, and other private transportation providers
  • Home-based care for seniors, adults, or children, and/or people with developmental disabilities
  • Residential facilities and shelters for seniors, children, and/or people with developmental disabilities
  • Professional services such as legal or accounting services
  • Childcare facilities providing services that enable employees exempted in this order to work as permitted
  • Businesses that provide food, shelter and other necessities of life for animals
  • Funeral, mortuary, cremation, burial, cemetery, and related services
  • Critical trades
  • Critical labor union functions that are essential activities

Violation is punishable as a misdemeanor, with fines of up to $5,000 up to a year in jail, or both.

“The mayors and I have been working together on this issue, and this morning we agreed that the mayors should develop their own plans to meet the unique needs of their counties. We also agreed that statewide action will be needed. I have directed the Attorney General to review the orders other states have issued and prepare a statewide plan that will keep the people of Hawaiʻi safe and healthy,” said Governor David Ige.

This is also in light of the eight new positive cases of COVID-19 cases in the state of Hawaii, which were announced on March 22. This puts the current state total to 56.

The six new cases are on Oahu, and the other two new cases are on Maui.

Here is the total breakdown by island as of March 22:

  • Hawaii – 3
  • Honolulu – 41
  • Kauai – 3
  • Maui – 9

Out of all current 56 cases, three have required hospitalization. No deaths have been reported in connection to the outbreak.

Watch the full press conference that was held by Mayor Caldwell on March 22: