Mayor: Tougher measures may come if rules ignored
Gov. Ige activates Hawaii National Guard for counties
Maui County Mayor Michael Victorino said Friday that this weekend is the “final warning” for social distancing measures, and if people do not adhere, he will tighten the public health emergency rules next week.
Meanwhile, Gov. David Ige activated 250 members of the Hawaii National Guard. Between 54 and 57 members will be deployed per county, depending on the county’s size, according to Brig. Gen. Moses Kaoiwi Jr., Joint Task Force commander for the Hawaii National Guard.
Members of the Guard will support local officials’ enforcement of state and county supplemental proclamations and executive orders, provide coronavirus screening to airports as early as Monday, offer warehouse help for personal protective equipment and assist county emergency management agencies.
During his news conference Friday afternoon, Victorino said the weekend will
be the “final warning, final approach” to social distancing measures.
“If you are going to continue to go to beaches and congregate, if you are going to congregate at the stores, we are going to implement as of Tuesday more harsher rules,” he said.
“I don’t want to get stricter, but if I continue to see these high numbers and people not really adhering to social distancing . . . I may have to start,” Victorino added.
The Maui Police Department said nine citations were issued Friday in the Lahaina District for violating public health emergency rules, bringing the total to 62 since Saturday. There also has been one arrest.
Public health emergency rules effective March 25 mandate that residents stay at home and work from home and require that nonessential businesses close. County inland and beach parks, gyms, community centers and other government facilities have been
closed.
Beaches and the ocean are reserved only for exercise. Individuals are advised to go out in public alone and only for essentials.
Also, county and state leaders recently have issued calls for people to wear masks when going out in public. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in the last day changed its stance on masks and now encourages their use.
“Many of us may be walking around unaware that we may be carrying coronavirus, and when we cough, sneeze, and to a lesser degree, even speak, cloth masks can block infectious droplets and prevent the virus from spreading,” said Health Director Bruce Anderson. “Protection of others is maximized when face masks are used. However, it is important to avoid touching your face when wearing and adjusting a mask.
“Remember, my face mask protects you and your face mask protects me.”
■ Staff Writer Lila Fujimoto contributed to this report. Kehaulani Cerizo can be reached at kcerizo@mauinews.com.