New rules on Maui requiring a COVID booster to enter indoor restaurants and gyms have been eliminated. 

In December, Maui County announced that boosters would be required to be considered “fully vaccinated” as part of their program to enter restaurants, bars and gyms. The new rules went into effect on Jan. 24, but on Feb. 7, the county dropped the requirement. 

It is now a “recommendation” to have a booster shot, but proof of the initial series of COVID vaccines will still be required to enter indoor eateries, bars and gyms. 

“The steady downward trend in new COVID-19 infections has also lowered demand for Maui County healthcare facilities,” said Mayor Michael Victorino, according to a press release. “After speaking with leadership of Maui Memorial Medical Center, I’m comfortable with relaxing this rule.” 

“I want to thank the operators of restaurants, bars and gyms, as well as their customers, for their care and cooperation during the past few weeks while our only acute care hospital was being strained,” Victorino added. 

Brian Perry, the mayor’s communications director, declined to say anything more to Spectrum News Hawaii about what was behind the decision to drop the booster requirement. 

Maui was the first county in Hawaii to require boosters to qualify as fully vaccinated.  

Maui County, which includes Maui, Lanai and Molokai, reported 52 COVID-19 daily cases on Tuesday. As of Feb. 8, only 68% of residents on Maui have received the initial series of vaccinations, which is 113,426 people out of a population of 166,043. Of that amount, 57,784 residents have received the booster.

In January, Victorino announced he would seek reelection. The county is holding its election in November.