WAILUKU – The “stay at home and work from home” amendment to the Public Health Emergency Rules for Maui County has been in place since March 25.

Basically, since then, our lives are moving at a snail’s pace; however, changes to the rules that guide us are evolving at lightning speed, and it’s challenging to keep step.

“After reflection on the upcoming holiday weekend and concerns in our community, I have decided to mandate a night-time curfew for at least the next three days,” Mayor Victorino ordered last week Thursday, commencing on April 10 from 11 p.m. to 5 a.m. on Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

“These are difficult times for all of us, and we’re doing everything in our power to stop the spread of COVID-19. We will evaluate the effectiveness of this curfew after this weekend and will continue to make policy changes as needed,” our county leader announced.

Other changes were mandated at the same time, and four of them are listed below.

1) Only two members of a household may leave home to conduct essential activities.

2) Businesses are required to limit entrance to two people per household.

3) Essential businesses with employees that have direct public contact or handle food shall be required to wear a mask or other face covering. Employers also shall allow employees to voluntarily wear masks or face coverings.

4) Bed and breakfast homes and short-term rental homes may only operate to provide housing for essential workers.

By the time this issue of the Lahaina News is published, these regulations may have changed again.

Be aware.

Maui Chief of Police Tivoli Faaumu stated at the April 10 press conference with the mayor, “Since March 18, the Maui Police Department has issued over 234 citations, and eight individuals have been arrested.”

“With challenges in the enforcement of the beachfront and park rules,” he said, “drones are used to remind the community that all the parks are closed.

“The drone is used as a tool to make public announcements to various parks and beaches. I want to remind the public and also reassure them that we are not conducting surveillance,” he explained.

“We will also be introducing an additional means to ensure compliance through the use of roving checkpoint roadblocks,” Faaumu continued. “All vehicles will be stopped at the roadblock to determine the following: check for valid driver’s license, vehicle registration, proof of vehicle insurance and the reason for travel. Any violators to the mayor’s Public Health Emergency Rules for Maui County will be cited.”

However, an expiration date grace period on driver’s licenses, registration and safety inspection is in effect from the time of “lockdown only.”

The COVID-19 situation is tragically fluid.

Announcements are made daily.

The county Department of Environmental Management reported the cancellation of its Third Saturday/Go Green pop-up recycling event because of the impacts of COVID-19.

Third Saturday/Go Green is a community-driven recycling event that takes place on the third Saturday of every month at Lahaina Cannery Mall.

Go Green is hosted is hosted by Malama Maui Nui in partnership with the department, the Rotary Club of Lahaina Sunset and 5A Rent-A-Space.

The department asks the community to be pono and refrain from illegal dumping. Residents can check the Maui County website for recycling and landfill disposal guidelines for information or call the Abandoned Vehicle and Metals Office at 270-8217.

West Maui residents should stay up-to-date on Public Health Emergency Rules for Maui County; visit www.covid19mauinui.com.

Updates will also be posted on our website at www.LahainaNews.com.

Specifically, in response to a question posed at the press conference from Lahaina News, the mayor announced that West Maui drive-through COVID-19 testing is planned.

“We are still working out the logistics – where and when – so we will be announcing that no later than Monday (April 13) or Tuesday (April 14),” Mayor Victorino advised.

“We are coming; please, West Maui,” he added, “We will be at your doorsteps.”