The business of some restaurants in Oahu is slowing 3 weeks after the city’s “vaccine pass” program

HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) – It’s been three weeks since hundreds of companies request vaccination cards or negative tests on Oahu.

The Hawaii Restaurant Association said restaurant revenues in general were down 40 to 50% compared to September 2019.

According to the HRA, companies did pretty well over the summer and are now in a transition period.

“It’s usually slow after summer,” said Sheryl Matsuoka, executive director of the Hawaii Restaurant Association. “But the combination of travel restrictions and cancellations, as well as requirements for secure access, has reduced sales by 40 to 50%.”

She said many stores close earlier in the evening due to slow days. Some even reduce their opening times.

HRA reports that the number of meals available for dinner is low and some restaurants have chosen to close their dining rooms and focus only on takeout.

HRA said they hold on to the hope that case numbers will drop and they can make up for lost revenue over the holidays.

The Safe Access Oahu program is scheduled to run until mid-November.

Honolulu Mayor Rick Blangiardi said he hoped to change the city’s rules on bars soon so they could serve alcohol until midnight instead of stopping service at 10 p.m.

He said that as soon as he found it safe, he would propose the new rule.

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