On Tuesday, November 23, Governor David Ige and the county mayors announced the easing of COVID-19 rules and restrictions.

Hawaii’s Safe Travels Program, vaccination or testing requirements for state and county employees along with vaccination or testing requirements for contractors and visitors to state facilities, all will remain in place for the time being.

Here are highlights from the November 23 announcement:

• On November 29, extensions for driver’s license renewals, instruction permits, and replacements will end.
• On December 1, statewide limits for social gatherings, restaurants, bars, social establishments, and gyms will end. Counties will be responsible for implementing appropriate measures for social gatherings, restaurant operations, social establishments and other venues within their own counties.
• On December 1, large events and gyms on Oahu can operate at full capacity and be allowed to serve food and beverages including alcohol, but those events will be subject to the Safe Access Oahu program that requires a proof of full vaccination status or a negative COVID-19 test within the last 48 hours.
• On December 1, restaurants on Oahu will no longer be required to conduct contact tracing. The Safe Access Oahu program will still be in place.
• Mayor Rick Blangiardi also announced that he will relax the 6-foot social distancing rule for Oahu restaurants.
• The state will no longer offer exemption to the 10-day travel quarantine to critical infrastructure workers, while individuals who previously tested positive for COVID-19 and other exemptions will be considered.

This post will be updated with additional news, details, and dates.