This message was shared with the students, faculty and staff of the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa on Dec 1, 2021.
Aloha UH Mānoa students, faculty, and staff,
As referenced in President Lassner’s message today, the Mānoa campus will move to full capacity for operations in January. We had previously announced on October 11, that we would open to full capacity in classrooms, labs, and other learning spaces as well as offices and meeting rooms.
The recent changes in the State and Honolulu County restrictions related to COVID-19, supports our direction and gives us the opportunity to make changes at UH Mānoa that could become effective starting today, December 1. Spaces that previously had restricted capacity to allow for physical distancing will now be allowed to operate at full capacity. However, it is important to note that some operations will need to increase staff in order to provide expanded services, which may take some time.
Other COVID-19 prevention measures such as wearing face masks indoors and being compliant with LumiSight UH are still required to help keep our campus and the larger community safe. You may have heard or read about the emergence of the Omicron (B.1.1.529) Variant Of Concern in other countries and the U.S. The CDC and our health leaders across the state are closely monitoring this evolving situation. As international travel to and from Hawaiʻi continues to increase, we must not let our guard down. Mahalo for your continued efforts to keep us all safe.
Full-capacity spaces
Effective December 1, additional locations such as dining halls, the Warrior Rec Center, theatres, museums and public gatherings can begin to move to full capacity. There will be some locations that will continue limited operations through the end of the calendar year, such as Paradise Palms and the Bookstore. Please check with the facility that you are interested in using as it may have to make staffing adjustments before fully opening.
Face masks required indoors
UH continues to require that individuals wear face masks when indoors. If you are outdoors you will not be required to wear a mask, but we encourage you to do so when in close proximity to others.
Athletic events
Our athletic events, which were already cleared for full capacity, will now include open concessions. However, we need to maintain safety precautions because of the increased risk of transmitting virus—crowded spaces, yelling/shouting, and not wearing a mask when eating or drinking.
- All fans 2 years of age or older will have to wear masks, except when they are actively eating and drinking for both indoor and outdoor events. This is consistent with CDC guidelines and is important to protect those younger than 5 who are not eligible for vaccination, kupuna, and those with serious health conditions who are at high risk for getting severely ill or hospitalized from COVID-19. Many families in Hawaiʻi have vaccinated and unvaccinated members, so wearing masks indoors is important to reduce transmission, especially with upcoming holiday gatherings.
- All fans 5 years of age or older who are not fully vaccinated will need to show proof of a negative test taken within two days (48 hours) of the event. The negative test result should be uploaded to the LumiSight UH app as soon as the result is obtained.
- Children under 5 years old do not need to be tested or vaccinated to attend.
Fans will need to upload their proof of vaccination to the LumiSight UH app at least three days prior to the event. Fans will be required to show their green “You may report to campus” status with the current date on the LumiSight UH daily health check app to enter the SimpliFi Arena at Stan Sheriff Center for volleyball matches and basketball games.
As our community and campus get back to pre-pandemic gathering sizes, we thank you, in advance, for remaining vigilant in remembering that COVID-19 remains in our midst. We are healthier because of all of the precautions you have selflessly taken, and we are confident that we can continue to keep each other safe—together!
UH Office of Communications
