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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2020-04-21 Mayor's Rule 3 with stricter requirements on face masks, etc -- press release Roy Takemoto Managing Director Harry Kim Mayor Barbara J. Kossow Deputy Managing Director County of Hawai‘i Office of the Mayor 25 Aupuni Street, Suite 2603  Hilo, Hawai‘i 96720  (808) 961-8211  Fax (808) 961-6553 KONA: 74-5044 Ane Keohokālole Hwy., Bldg C  Kailua-Kona, Hawai‘i 96740 (808) 323-4444  Fax (808) 323-4440 April 21, 2020 NEWS RELEASE Mayor Kim Issues Emergency Rule No. 3 that Mandates Face Masks at Businesses Hawai‘i County Mayor Harry Kim issued a Rule on Tuesday that mandates face masks or coverings for all customers of essential businesses aged 5 or older and all employees who have contact with others, to prevent the spread of COVID-19. The Mayor’s COVID-19 Emergency Rule No. 3 stipulates that a business shall disallow entry to anyone who refuses to wear a face mask or face coverings. Exemptions from wearing face masks are persons with health or medical conditions that prohibit the use of face masks or face coverings. Rule 3 also calls for all customers to sanitize their hands at entry, and hand sanitizing stations must be set up in the customers’ path at the entrance. The County’s COVID-19 Prevention and Education Task Force will be working with businesses to ensure compliance from their employees and customers, said Mayor Harry Kim. “These are stricter than the Governor’s rules, because we want to make sure that our community stays healthy and safe,” the Mayor said. Rule 3 was prompted in part after the recent outbreak of the virus among fast food workers and their families in Kona. “We want these rules to be in place, while focusing on being reasonable so that people can make a living,” Mayor Kim said. The Rule strongly recommends that one customer per 250 square feet be allowed into an establishment to ensure the six-foot distancing requirement, and to increase social distancing. Rule 3 calls for businesses to discourage hoarding of essential supplies, and mandates that businesses post signage and communicate special hours for high-risk populations. County of Hawai‘i is an Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer. Businesses that handle food production and consumption are to have employees use gloves while handling food, and employees who handle any payment transaction by cash or credit card must sanitize or change gloves before serving the next customer. All businesses are required to assign, train and schedule employees to sanitize carts, conveyors, counters, handles, knobs and other common touch areas, the Rule says. Employees must do a self-check prior to starting their shift to monitor for any COVID-19 symptoms. If an employee feels ill, they must immediately notify their supervisor and leave the premises. Rule 3 stipulates that the employee must seek medical attention if symptoms persist, and shall not return to work until symptom-free at a minimum of 72 hours. If an employee tests positive for the virus, they shall not return to work until staying home and being symptom-free for 14 days. On the County’s Mass Transit buses, riders five years old and older must wear face coverings or masks to prevent the spread of the virus, with exemptions for people with health or medical conditions that prohibit their use. Riders who refuse to wear a mask will not be allowed to board or enter the bus. Violators of Rule 3 may be subject to a fine of up to $5,000 or one year imprisonment, or both. The Rule remain effective throughout the pandemic emergency, or until terminated sooner by order of the Mayor. For further information, please contact Civil Defense at 935-0031. County of Hawai`i is an Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer. Roy Takemoto Managing Director Harry Kim Mayor Barbara J. Kossow Deputy Managing Director County of Hawai‘i Office of the Mayor 25 Aupuni Street, Suite 2603  Hilo, Hawai‘i 96720  (808) 961-8211  Fax (808) 961-6553 KONA: 74-5044 Ane Keohokālole Hwy., Bldg C  Kailua-Kona, Hawai‘i 96740 (808) 323-4444  Fax (808) 323-4440 April 21, 2020 NEWS RELEASE Mayor Kim Issues Emergency Rule No. 3 that Mandates Face Masks at Businesses Hawai‘i County Mayor Harry Kim issued a Rule on Tuesday that mandates face masks or coverings for all customers of essential businesses aged 5 or older and all employees who have contact with others, to prevent the spread of COVID-19. The Mayor’s COVID-19 Emergency Rule No. 3 stipulates that a business shall disallow entry to anyone who refuses to wear a face mask or face coverings. Exemptions from wearing face masks are persons with health or medical conditions that prohibit the use of face masks or face coverings. Rule 3 also calls for all customers to sanitize their hands at entry, and hand sanitizing stations must be set up in the customers’ path at the entrance. The County’s COVID-19 Prevention and Education Task Force will be working with businesses to ensure compliance from their employees and customers, said Mayor Harry Kim. “These are stricter than the Governor’s rules, because we want to make sure that our community stays healthy and safe,” the Mayor said. Rule 3 was prompted in part after the recent outbreak of the virus among fast food workers and their families in Kona. “We want these rules to be in place, while focusing on being reasonable so that people can make a living,” Mayor Kim said. The Rule strongly recommends that one customer per 250 square feet be allowed into an establishment to ensure the six-foot distancing requirement, and to increase social distancing. Rule 3 calls for businesses to discourage hoarding of essential supplies, and mandates that businesses post signage and communicate special hours for high-risk populations. County of Hawai‘i is an Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer. Businesses that handle food production and consumption are to have employees use gloves while handling food, and employees who handle any payment transaction by cash or credit card must sanitize or change gloves before serving the next customer. All businesses are required to assign, train and schedule employees to sanitize carts, conveyors, counters, handles, knobs and other common touch areas, the Rule says. Employees must do a self-check prior to starting their shift to monitor for any COVID-19 symptoms. If an employee feels ill, they must immediately notify their supervisor and leave the premises. Rule 3 stipulates that the employee must seek medical attention if symptoms persist, and shall not return to work until symptom-free at a minimum of 72 hours. If an employee tests positive for the virus, they shall not return to work until staying home and being symptom-free for 14 days. On the County’s Mass Transit buses, riders five years old and older must wear face coverings or masks to prevent the spread of the virus, with exemptions for people with health or medical conditions that prohibit their use. Riders who refuse to wear a mask will not be allowed to board or enter the bus. Violators of Rule 3 may be subject to a fine of up to $5,000 or one year imprisonment, or both. The Rule remain effective throughout the pandemic emergency, or until terminated sooner by order of the Mayor. For further information, please contact Civil Defense at 935-0031. County of Hawai`i is an Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer.