In-Person Spiritual Services to Resume in Honolulu on Saturday, May 23

Churches and other spiritual institutions will be allowed to gather in person, provided that they follow certain guidelines.

After nearly two months of remote and online services, spiritual organizations will be allowed to open their doors to the public starting May 23. Mayor Kirk Caldwell announced on Thursday that Gov. David Ige gave the green light for churches to take a step toward normalcy, with some restrictions.

Services will be allowed to resume as long as all people at the service practice social distancing, except for members of the same household. Additionally, organizers are encouraged to limit the number of attendees to ensure people can stay 6 feet away from each other.

Organizers are also encouraged to take other safety precautions to protect populations that are more at risk of getting sick, such as wearing face masks, cleaning often and limiting the sharing of worship materials and other frequently touched items.

“Gathering together safely, praying together and taking part in group worship is so important right now, as so many of our residents have been practicing physical distancing for months,” says Caldwell. “Religious services can be a key resource to help many of us get through these tough times since spiritual institutions can play a significant role in our emotional and spiritual well-being. Restoring these in-person interactions will allow people to connect again in a much deeper way.”