Oahu on shutdown until Sept. 9

Oahu is on another stay-at-home and work-from-home order similar to the order implemented back in March with only essential works and businesses allowed to remain open.

Restaurants are open but only available for take-outs. Public schools, including the University of Hawaii, will remain open. However, private schools will have to switch to online classes.

Non-essential businesses such as retailers, gyms and salons are closed as well as City and State parks and beaches. Strictly no social gatherings is permitted indoors and outdoors.

Violations in the order are punishable with fines up to $5,000, up to a year in jail, or both.

On Aug. 25, Honolulu Mayor Kirk Caldwell said Governor David Ige approved the order to help bring down the COVID-19 cases on Oahu. As of writing, Hawaii’s total COVID-19 cases are 6,984 with most of the cases in Oahu.

The current stay-at-home and work-from-home order was implemented on Aug. 27 and will last until Sept. 9. 



“We’re going to see how it goes. We’re hopeful the number will decline,” said Mayor Caldwell at a news conference on Aug. 25.

However, he said that the order will be extended if the Oahu cases are still triple-digits daily.

During the shutdown order, the City and State will ramp up COVID-19 testing and contact tracing to ensure safety in reopening. The City plans to conduct 60,000 tests in 12 days, and these are free of charge to those who will take the swab test. The contact tracing programs will help improve quarantine and isolation measures.