Mayor Kirk Caldwell  in a press conference on Tuesday said he’s tightening  the mask  requirements for people on O’ahu.  He’s been encouraging people to wear masks when in public.   Now, Mayor Caldwell is requiring people who go into open businesses where there will be people or who ride The Bus to wear a face  covering of some kind, not an N95 nor surgical mask, but a bandana or cotton mask of  some kind.  Mayor Caldwell says he would expect business owners to ask anybody not complying to wear a mask.  He said he also expects employees in businesses to wear masks.

The new mask requirement goes into effect Monday, April 20.  Mayor Caldwell said he is encouraging voluntary compliance.

Caldwell said testing is critical, and the City and County of Honolulu will continue to support testing at no charge for those who have symptoms.