HONOLULU — Noting that hospitalizations are trending down and that COVID case counts are lower, Gov. David Ige announced Tuesday that the statewide indoor mask mandate will expire as of 11:59 p.m., March 25.

What You Need To Know

  • The statewide indoor mask mandate ends at 11:59 p.m., March 25

  • Masks are still required at special settings such as hospitals and jails

  • New school guidance that was released Monday morning still recommends indoor masking

  • Gov. Ige says that he will reinstitute the mask mandates if conditions warrant 

“Since April 2020, the state of Hawaii has required facemasks to be worn to prevent the spread of COVID-19,” Ige said at a news conference on Tuesday.

“At first, it was both indoors and outdoors. And for many months now, wearing a face mask has been a requirement when indoors at businesses or at work. This requirement helps prevent the spread of COVID-19, which helped prevent our health care system from being overwhelmed and saved lives. And because the people of Hawaii have been serious about this and other measures to prevent the spread of the virus, we have reduced COVID-19 in a way to the point where most of us will be safe without masks indoors,” he said.

“As a result, the statewide indoor mask requirement will end on March 25 at 11:59 p.m., with the current emergency proclamation related to COVID-19. Right now, hospitalizations are trending down. Case counts are falling. And we are better at treating people who are infected with the virus, booster shots are saving lives and the CDC rates the state’s COVID-19 community level as low all across the state. This is all promising, but we’ve seen previous progress wiped out by a delta or omicron variant. So, I want to be very clear, I will be ready to re-institute the mass policy of COVID cases should surge we are continuing to monitor the global national and local situation and will take the actions necessary to ensure the integrity of our state’s health care system.”

Masks will still be mandated for hospitals, jails and other special community settings.

Dr. Elizabeth Char, director of the Hawaii state Department of Health, noted that the department had been analyzing data here and across the country to determine next steps.

“We have been tracking the data and studying the trends here and across the nation for many weeks. Masks are still an important tool in preventing the transmission of COVID and other respiratory viruses. The Department of Health recommends that those who are immune compromised our kupuna and those who are at high risk for serious illness continue to wear masks indoors. We also recommend that those who are healthy but who are around those at high risk wear masks to protect them,” she said.

Char added masks are still recommended for crowded settings and in public areas.

Dr. Sarah Kemble of the state Department of Health added that new school guidance that was released Monday morning still recommends indoor masking.

“We are dropping quarantine requirements for those exposed in the school setting,” Kemble added. “This is one of the reasons we’re still recommending masks be worn indoors in schools. Those exposed to a known positive case at school will not have to quarantine as long as they’re not symptomatic or sick. Next week is spring break for public schools and others. We want to ensure that students come back to a safe environment after spring break. Maintaining indoor masking in schools for the time being is important for keeping our schools open and ensuring an in person learning.”

Regarding public transportation, Dr. Kemble noted that the CDC still recommends mask wearing in those settings.

“Once the mask mandate expires under the emergency proclamation, really what we’re looking at next is what is the public health guidance, guidance remains that in crowded settings such as on city buses, where you’re around people with unknown vaccination status, we would strongly recommend that you do continue to wear a mask that’s to protect yourself and also to protect others around you who may be on the bus next to you,” Kemble added.

Ige said that businesses are free to implement mask wearing requirements for its patrons, they see fit.

“I just really wanted to thank the people for why you know this has certainly been long, and we lent this challenge for our community,” Ige said. “I am proud of our response to the COVID pandemic. The fact that we continue to have amongst the lowest infection rate in the country. And the lowest fatality rate in the country is really a testament to everyone being willing to sacrifice on behalf of the broader community. So just thank you so much to everyone. I’m certainly looking forward to March 25.”