Hawaiʻi County has expanded outdoor gathering limits to 25 for organized sports at all outdoor county recreational facilities under the Mayor’s COVID-19 Emergency Rule No. 18, which was signed by Mayor Roth in concurrence with Governor Ige on Monday, October 4, 2021.  The Mayor’s COVID-19 Emergency Rule No. 18 goes into effect today, October 4, continuing on through December 3, 2021, unless terminated or superseded by a separate proclamation, whichever shall occur first.  The rule also creates a mechanism for sporting organizers to apply for special event exemptions to allow for gathering sizes above the limit of 25 for organized sports, which includes spectators, pending proper COVID-19 mitigation protocols.   In addition, restaurants are reminded to follow all COVID-19 protocols, including ensuring that masks are worn at all times when not actively eating or drinking.

To be granted an event exemption, organizers must have:

1. Reasonable means and methods to limit and enforce restrictions on the gathering including realistic, sufficient resources to implement such; and

2. Reasonable means to inform, and methods to ensure and enforce, physical distancing requirements for all persons present; and

3. Reasonable strategies for disinfection/sanitization of all common and high-touch surfaces.

In a press release Hawaiʻi County Mayor Mitch Roth said, “We are excited to get our keiki back onto the fields and into our open-air gyms safely.  Because of the work that everyone has been doing to slow the spread of COVID-19 in our communities, our numbers have seen a steady decline, and because of it, we believe that we can now make this transition in a way that is safest for our keiki and their families. We know that organized sports are a huge part of our local community here on Hawaiʻi Island, and we would like to thank everyone from the parents to the coaches, and especially the keiki, for hanging in there with us and supporting our County as we continue to work through this pandemic – together!”

Visit https://bit.ly/3oMmcRt to submit formal requests for event exemptions at County recreational facilities.  The Department of Parks and Recreation will review all requests in a timely fashion. The department will also help sporting organizers create COVID-19 mitigation plans on a case-by-case basis if needed. The Department of Parks and Recreation can be reached at 808-961-8311.