(AP) — The Hawaiʻi Department of Education will prohibit events involving gatherings of more than 20 people for the remainder of the school year. The ban announced by the department as a precaution against the coronavirus covers events scheduled through June 1, including banquets, May Day celebrations and proms. The department says it will announce plans for limited in-person commencement ceremonies by Feb. 26. School officials have been encouraged to develop alternative ceremony formats, including drive-by and online festivities. The cancelation of annual proms is also expected to impact businesses that provide dresses, tuxedos, flowers, limousines and hair and makeup services.

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