Mayor Lifts County COVID Restrictions

Mayor Derek S. K. Kawakami announced today that Emergency Rule 28 will be repealed effective March 1, ending the county’s last emergency rule for COVID-19.

“As we reach this milestone, I am overwhelmed with gratitude. I’m grateful for our partners at the state and federal levels, our Kaua‘i District Health Office, our own county associates, our businesses, our visitor industry partners, and most of all – our Kaua‘i people,” Kawakami said in a news release Monday, Feb. 28 “I thank you all for your patience, your willingness to adapt at a moment’s notice, your innovative solutions, and your teamwork to overcome the most extraordinary and unprecedented challenges over the past two years. While COVID-19 still exists, we have the knowledge and tools we need to keep ourselves, our families, and our community healthy and safe. Let’s not forget these best practices as we move forward together in our lives beyond COVID-19.”

Emergency Rule 28 limited social gatherings and required events over gathering limits to ensure attendees were either fully vaccinated or showed proof of a negative COVID test. While the protocol is no longer mandatory, large event organizers are highly encouraged to promote these best practices as part of their business operations.

While this was the last emergency rule in place at the county-level, Kaua‘i remains under Gov. David Ige’s current Emergency Proclamation for COVID-19. This statewide mandate includes the indoor mask requirement, the state’s Safe Travels program, and the vaccination/testing program for county employees.