The Hawaiʻi State Department of Education (HIDOE) released guidelines to allow for in-person school graduation ceremonies that will maintain the health and safety of students, staff and families.
In addition to standard school health and safety protocols as well as county social gathering regulations, commencement events must follow the guidelines listed below:
- Student participation is voluntary. Schools may consider providing a virtual option for persons who do not wish to attend an in-person event and to help promote smaller crowd sizes.
- Ceremonies must be held outdoors or in a venue with adequate ventilation or fans/filtration systems. Third-party venues that comply with county social gathering rules are allowed.
- All participants must provide proof of vaccination or a negative COVID-19 test result taken within 48 hours prior to the ceremony.
- Graduates will be allowed to bring a pre-set number of household members as guests. The amount of guests will be determined by each school based on capacity. No additional guests will be allowed.
- Masks must be worn at all times.
Because school graduation and transition ceremonies are still in the planning stages, dates and other details will be announced in April 2022. The guidance is subject to change if there are any developments that would compromise the health or safety of students and staff.
The full list of guidelines can be viewed here.
Photo credit: State of Hawaiʻi Department of Education