The state Department of Land and Natural Resources said today all state parks are closed and its Division of Boating and Ocean Recreation has suspended all commercial operator permits until further notice.
The state Department of Land and Natural Resources said today all state parks are closed and its Division of Boating and Ocean Recreation has suspended all commercial operator permits until further notice.
This covers hundreds of tour operators, surf and stand-up paddleboard schools, sightseeing, whale watching and dinner cruises and any commercial operation operating in state ocean waters.
A DLNR statement said the move was made with the announcement that community spread of the COVID-19 coronavirus is likely occurring in Hawaii.
All commercial tours on state trails and wildlife sanctuaries have also been closed. Any vendors with tours already booked will be refunded.
DLNR Chair Suzanne Case said, “Many people are not practicing the recommended social distancing protocols, so it’s become necessary for us to take these extraordinary steps to help encourage the (recommended) six-foot separation between people … . It is hoped that every commercial permit holder and all local residents and visitors will abide by these closures in the spirit of flattening the spread of the coronavirus.”
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