In order to stop the spread of COVID- 19, we’ve made a lot of changes here in Rhode Island over the past 5 weeks. We’ve taken a smart, targeted approach to combat this virus. As we enter the second month of our response, I want you to hear from me about our decision to close certain businesses.
Today I’m sad to report another 3 deaths a result of coronavirus for a total of 30. We have 147 new cases in Rhode Island for a total of 1,229. We have 123 people in the hospital. These statistics are always available to you online from the Rhode Island Department of Health.
I wanted to let you know that, while we are making progress in the fight against coronavirus, we still have a long way to go before it's safe for us to resume business as normal. That's why I've decided to extend a number of the new limitations we've placed on gatherings and businesses for another month. |
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The following orders are extended until May 8th:
- Gatherings: All gatherings of more than 5 people are prohibited.
- Restaurant dine-in: Restaurants, bars and cafes will be closed to dine-in service. They will be allowed to sell wine and beer with take-out orders.
- Business closures: Public recreation and entertainment businesses (theaters, cinemas, bowling alleys, museums, zoos) as well as all close-contact businesses (hair salons, nail salons, barber shops, tattoo parlors, gyms, yoga studios) will remain closed.
- Domestic/International travel: Anyone returning to Rhode Island from domestic or international travel by any mode of transportation must self-quarantine for 14 days.
- Open Meetings Act: We have suspended the provision of the Open Meetings Act that prohibits meetings taking place by phone or video conferencing. All meetings must still allow for public access.
- Telehealth: Health insurers must cover telemedicine for primary care, specialty care and mental and behavioral health care.
- Gun Permits: In keeping with a request from the RI Police Chiefs’ Association, we have extended the time period that law enforcement has to complete a background for a gun permit from 7 days to 30 days.
Several other closures will extend indefinitely:
- The State House is closed to visitors indefinitely.
- Nursing homes, hospitals and the ACI are not allowing visitors until further notice.
- State parks and beaches are closed.
- All state-based customer services – DHS, DLT, HSRI – will remain online only.
- The DMV is open by appointment only. All road tests are suspended indefinitely.
- Casinos are closed indefinitely.
I know that this is a difficult time for many Rhode Islanders financially. For those of you who are currently facing difficulties in acquiring your unemployment benefits, please know that we are working around the clock to meet the unprecedented demand that this pandemic has caused.
For small business owners who have been affected by these closures, I want you to know that we are going to get you back up and running as soon as possible. Tomorrow morning at 8:30 a.m., we're going to hold a special Facebook Live discussion with Mark Hayward, our Small Business Administration district director, to answer any questions about SBA programs for businesses. You can find more info or sign up through this link.
One last thought: although things are hard right now, we are seeing Rhode Islanders step up across the state to help their communities. We’re hearing about people who are picking up groceries for others who can’t, making cloth face coverings for others.
If you’re sitting home and wondering what you can do to help: Go to www.NextDoor.com. Sign up for a free account. On that website take a look at the Help Map. You can go there to see who in your neighborhood needs help with errands, and you can connect to provide that help
We're all in this together.
-Gina Raimondo
Governor
P.S.: Information is our greatest weapon in the fight against COVID-19, If you or someone you know wants to sign up to receive these emails, you can use this link. |
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