Coronavirus In RI: All Air Travelers Must Self-Quarantine

PROVIDENCE, RI —All Rhode Islanders flying into the state will be required to self-quarantine in an effort to reduce the spread of the new coronavirus, Governor Gina Raimondo said Monday. Twenty-three new cases of the virus were reported on Monday, bringing the state's total number of cases to 106.

About half of the state's cases involve travel, Raimondo said. Starting at 7 a.m. on Tuesday, anyone flying into the state will be required to self-quarantine in their home for 14 days. National Guard staff will be stationed at T.F. Green Airport to greet travelers and collect contact information to help facilitate contact tracing, Raimondo said.

As for interstate commuters, the governor again urged all employers who are able to do so to allow their employees to work from home to help cut down on the number of people driving in and out of neighboring states.

"If you live in Rhode Island, and work in another state, and you can work from home, we really need you to do that," she said. "I am really leaning in on this."

At this time, the state's borders will remain open for drivers, Raimondo said, a decision she made partially due to Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker's stay-at-home advisory.

"Because Massachusetts has done that, I feel that it is safe to do that at this time not to do that within our borders," she said.

The 23 new patients range in age from people in their 20s to 90s, said Dr. Nicole Alexander-Scott, the Director of Health at the Rhode Island Department of Health. At this time, there are currently four people who are being treated for COVID-19 in the hospital, and none of the new cases were nursing home residents, she said.

Starting at 5 p.m. on Monday, all "close contact" businesses — salons, barbershops, gyms and more — will be forced to close their doors, Raimondo said on Sunday. Anyone who sees large gatherings is asked to help the state enforce the ban on gatherings of 10 people or more.

"I'm counting on each and every one of you to help us enforce this," Raimondo said. "The best enforcers are the people of Rhode Island. It's in our best interest to tamp down the virus."

Addressing the business community, Raimondo said that the across-the-board closures are "not the new normal," instead a temporary, necessary step to ensure that the state is able to keep its residents healthy.

"What we're doing now is not the new normal. This is not a sustainable approach," she said. "I know this will be difficult. I know a lot of people will be losing their jobs. ... I want to remind you again this isn't forever. This is a temporary pause. We will do everything we can to get you up and running as soon as possible."

During the closures, the governor asked all Rhode Islanders to consider buying online from local retailers to help keep small businesses afloat.

"I want to ask every Rhode Islander right now to please shop local as much as you can. Obviously, I am asking you to do that online," she said. "But before you click on Amazon, look at whether there is a local business who is selling what you need online."

With the economy at a standstill and the casinos, the state's third-largest source of income, currently closed, Raimondo said she plans to implement an emergency line of credit to prevent the state from running out of money in the coming weeks. Both House Speaker Nicholas Mattiello and Senate President Dominick Ruggerio have committed to supporting this effort, she said.

"Rhode Islanders have a lot to worry about right now," Raimondo said. "I don't want you all to worry about the state running out of money."

Before she reopens the state's economy, Raimondo said certain metrics must be met to ensure that the state is ready to keep the infection from widely spreading. Firstly, there must be the ability to test as many as 700 to 800 people per day, allowing the Department of Health to test everyone who has symptoms so cases of COVID-19 can be identified and these individuals can be placed in isolation. Raimondo said she hopes to reach that capacity within a week, but no dates are set at this point.

"In the meantime, if you have symptoms, assume it's COVID-19, whether you're tested or not, and stay home," Alexander-Scott said. "Even if it's the flu, our guidance would be the same: stay home."

If you or a member of your household is ill, stay isolated from others within your home if possible, Alexander-Scott said. This means having a separate bedroom and bathroom if possible, and limiting time in communal areas to avoid spreading the virus. Disinfect surfaces frequently.

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