Oahu businesses and state facilities prepare to start checking vaccination cards and COVID tests

HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) – As of Monday, sweeping new rules take effect to pressure people to get vaccinated and to protect service and government workers from infection.

Honolulu state and county ordinances mean you’re going to want to keep your proof of vaccination or negative COVID test results handy.

In Oahu, businesses like restaurants, gyms, and entertainment venues will ask for them.

The Safe Access Oahu program goes into effect Monday.

Gyu Kaku Japanese BBQ says his employees already have a system in place.

“So we will have additional staff on the welcome stand, so that one person can explain the new mandate to everyone?” You know, not everyone knows it, and this will be the first week, ”said Sheryl Matsuoka, partner of Gyu Kaku and executive director of the Hawaii Restaurant Association.

Except for children under the age of 12, proof of vaccination or a negative test taken within 48 hours will be required if you wish to dine at restaurants in Oahu.

Also in effect Monday, the governor’s decree requiring visitors and contractors to state facilities to show they have been vaccinated or tested negative.

The rule covers libraries and public schools, which had to plan quickly.

“It’s not 100% perfect and I would be the first to say that even what we are trying to deploy will not be perfect,” State Comptroller Curt Otaguro said.

The rule does not apply to children under 12, public school students, airport passengers, people in beach parks, those in state correctional and housing facilities, or to people making short deliveries.

Very similar rules have been in place on University of Hawaii campuses for months, requiring anyone who sets foot in their facilities to upload their evidence to a special app.

University of Hawaii spokesperson Dan Meisenzahl said setting up the system and enforcing it was not easy. “It was really a challenge for our IT department and it’s also a daily challenge,” he said.

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