2021-12-01 COVID-19 First Amended Emergency Rule No. 19

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Mayor's COVID-19 First Amended Emergency Rule No. 19 Page 2 of 14 Since then, there has been a gradual reduction in the number of COVID-19 cases on Hawaii Island with seven-day average of cases at twelve (12) per day and the test positivity rate at 2.4% as of November 29, 2021. Currently, over 63% of Hawaii Island residents have been vaccinated. This Emergency Rule is based upon evidence that COVID-19 continues to endure within this state and county via travel related cases as well as through community spread as reported by the State Department of Health ("DOH") and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention ("CDC"). This Emergency Rule is also based upon scientific evidence that reinforces the types of best practices and social policies that are most effective at mitigating or preventing the transmission of COVID-19. To date, the number of documented cases of COVID-19 in the State is in excess of 87,585, and there have been at least 1,018 deaths attributed to this disease in the State. The continued spread of COVID-19 has resulted in increased hospitalization and strained health care resources, including utilization of a limited number of ICU hospital beds on island. Without immediate action, the County of Hawaii is unable to meet urgent health care needs of our island community. As a result, it has become necessary to continue restrictions with a gradual modification of our Emergency Rule that recognizes progress being made in the reduction of"positive COVID-19 cases and to reduce the threat of spread and enable our health care resources to meet urgent health care needs attributable to the spread of COVID-19. I, Mitchell D. Roth, Mayor of the County of Hawaii, hereby authorize the following: A. Work in Businesses or Operations All businesses, operations, and activities are permitted to remain open except those businesses, operations and activities delineated in Exhibit 5, or as otherwise provided by this rule, and subject to all face covering, safety restrictions and physical distancing requirements of this rule, the Governor's Emergency Proclamation Related to COVID-19, dated November 29, 2021, as may bE: amended, and any subsequent proclamations or orders. Nothing in this rule shall prevent businesses, operations, or activity sponsors from protecting their employees and customers by requiring proof of vaccination or a recent negative COVID test of employees or customers as a condition to entry into the business establishment, operation or to participating in an activity. B. County Government Operations Individuals entering a County Facility pursuant to this Ruile shall minimize time within County Facilities to the extent reasonably possible. This shall include going directly to the room, department, or area of the County Facility in which their presence is required and leaving immediately after their Official County Business is County of Hawai' i is an Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer.