Indoor gatherings on the Big Island are once again limited to no more than 10 people under a new emergency rule issued yesterday.
The rule cites the rapid increase in COVID-19 cases on the island, with an average of 66 new cases per day over the last week. Today, the Department of Health announced 50 new cases on the Big Island, but only 824 statewide, a decrease from the record highs of the Christmas weekend.
To minimize the spread of the virus, indoor gatherings are capped at 10 people, instead of the previous limit of 25, until the rule expires on Jan. 28.
The rule imposes no changes to outdoor gathering sizes, which remain capped at 100 people.
County Managing Director Lee Lord signed the rule Monday in lieu of Mayor Mitch Roth, who is currently COVID-positive and is in isolation.