Should I still be wearing a mask even if it’s not required?

Masks are still strongly recommended for people who are high risk, including:

• Kūpuna
• Immunocompromised
• Unvaccinated
• At risk because of existing medical conditions
• Caregivers (people who take care of kūpuna or others at high risk)

Even if you don’t fall into one of these categories, you may want to consider continuing to wear a mask when in the presence of others as well as around people whose vaccine status you don’t know.

Additionally, masks are also strongly recommended in places where people are at a higher risk like:

• Hospitals and medical facilities
• Long-term care facilities
• Congregate living facilities, including shelters and correctional facilities
• Crowded indoor spaces and events
• When traveling (including public transportation)
• Schools (indoors)

Source: https://www.nytimes.com/article/mask-mandates-guidelines.html (UCSF Medicine Department Chair via NY Times)
https://hawaiicovid19.com/mask-guidance/ (DOH)

Updated 03/13/2022