HONOLULU (AP) - A utility company in Hawaii has adjusted its operations and some of its services to potentially reduce the spread of the coronavirus.
The Hawaiian Electric Company announced plans to extend the suspension of service disconnections for customers another month, adding that any notices threatening to disconnect service before May 17 should be considered a scam.
Service disconnections were originally suspended through April 17, KHON-TV reported.
“Although Hawaiian Electric employees are considered ‘essential workers,’ the company is trying to reduce the numbers in the field to protect the health and safety of employees and the public,” the utility said in a statement.
For most people, the new coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms, such as fever and cough that clear up in two to three weeks. For some, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, it can cause more severe illness, including pneumonia and death.
Adjusted operations include postponing less urgent repair and maintenance work and closing walk-in customer payment centers at least through April, company officials said.
Crews and contractors are expected to continue performing essential work involving little public interaction, including tree trimming, equipment replacement, system resilience work and emergency repairs, officials said. Other services such as meter readers are expected to be reduced.
Bills for residential and some smaller commercial customers will be estimated based on the previous month’s usage, the Honolulu Star-Advertiser reported. Customers will be billed accordingly for their actual usage when meter reading resumes.
Customers who are having difficulty paying their bills because of the pandemic are encouraged to contact customer service representatives to arrange payment options and schedules, company officials said.
None of the operational changes will interrupt electric service to customers unless deemed critical for safety and reliability, officials said.
Hawaiian Electric operates on five Hawaiian Islands including Oahu, Maui, Molokai, Lanai and the Big Island.
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