Coronavirus In RI: More Businesses Ordered To Close

PROVIDENCE, RI — Amid reports that some Rhode Islanders are not heeding the state's strict guidelines to prevent the spread of the new coronavirus, Governor Gina Raimondo is again implementing new restrictions, requiring that more businesses close in-person services and setting requirements for those which remain open.

As of Sunday afternoon, there were 17 new cases of COVID-19 in Rhode Island, bring the state's total to 83, Raimondo said. There have not yet been any coronavirus-related deaths in the state.

Starting at 5 p.m. on Monday, all barbershops, salons, spas, theaters, movies, tattoo shops and similar businesses must close their doors. Monday is not meant to be a regular business day, Raimondo said, rather a day for business owners to organize and prepare for the shutdown.

"These aren't requests, these are directives," she said. "If' you're still open after 5 p.m. [Monday], you're breaking the law, and we'll enforce it. We will shut you down."

State officials will also begin conducting spot-checks at businesses that are allowed to remain open to ensure safety requirements are being met. These include:

• Ensure that all employees have at least six feet of distance between them
• Require good hygiene such as frequent handwashing and provide hand sanitizer for employees
• Close areas where employees congregate, such as break rooms
• Greet employees at the door to check for any signs of illness
• Clean and disinfect surfaces frequently

"Greet your employees at the door to make sure they are not sick. I am very serious about that," Raimondo said. "Anyone who is not feeling well. Certainly anyone who has a runny nose, or a headache, send them home. ... If you follow those rules, you will be able to stay open."

Raimondo said the decision to close more businesses was not an easy one to make, but she felt it was needed to cut down the infection rate in the state. Small businesses, who are some of the hardest-hit by the crisis, are encouraged to reach out to the state if they are struggling financially by calling 521-HELP.

During this time, it's incredibly important for all Rhode Islanders to do their part, staying indoors as much as possible and avoiding any gatherings of 10 people or more.

"I don't want to drive around Rhode Island and see any groups of 10 people or more. Anywhere," Raimondo said, adding that it applies to any gatherings, including dinner parties, open houses and more. "Knock it off, this is serious business. If we keep seeing it we have to move to a lockdown."

If everyone does their part, the governor continued, Rhode Island will be able to keep the spread of the virus under control.

"Every single Rhode Islander needs to be very serious about this," she said. "What we do in the next two weeks will determine our future. We don't want to be New York City. We don't want to be Seattle, Washington. This is not a joke. People will die in Rhode Island if we don't start to heed these directions."

Starting Monday, students across Rhode Island will "return to class," starting the process of learning from home. The first two weeks, especially this coming week, will be a learning curve for everyone, Raimondo said, and urged everyone to have patience and stay in close contact with their school leaders and teachers.

"School is back on [Monday]. Special note to teenagers: 'Set your alarm and get out of bed,'" she said. "What most states have done is shut down schools. I don't want to do that. I want to give students a chance to learn."

Although Rhode Island still has a limited number of cases of COVID-19 and a healthy supply of personal protective equipment for healthcare workers, state officials are working "around the clock" to maintain that level of preparedness, Raimondo said. Teams of employees are working to make sure there are enough masks, gowns, hospital beds and other equipment needed.

"I am literally scouring the world, manufacturer by manufacturer, lab by lab, working with the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the National Guard to make sure that we've got you on this," the governor said. "It is not easy, it is a fight, it's a global fight, but we're doing fine."

The governor's office and Rhode Island Department of Health are also working with local manufacturers to see what equipment can be made here in the state. This has twofold benefits, Raimondo said, as it ensures a local supply of needed equipment and keeps Rhode Islanders on the job. Any manufacturing businesses that have not yet reached out are encouraged to do so to see if they can be retrofitted to meet the current manufacturing needs.

In addition, the Army Corps of Engineers will be on-site in Rhode Island starting Monday to further the weeks-long planning effort of surges in healthcare facilities. Officials have already surveyed the state, identifying college dormitories, vacant buildings, the Rhode Island Convention Center and more as possible makeshift hospitals should they be needed. The corps will help with the next steps, determining which facilities would suit these needs best.

"Are we going to get to a place where our hospitals are overrun? That is very likely. It is happening all over the country," Raimondo said. "I know everybody is reading about what's happening in New Orleans, in New York City, in Seattle. When you read those things I would ask you to shut off your computer, take a deep breath, realize you are in Rhode Island, and that we are not there."

Raimondo again thanked Rhode Islanders who are complying with the social distancing requirements, acknowledging that it is a difficult time. She asked everyone to "take a step back" and ask themselves how they can best serve the community right now.

"For most of you, that will just be to stay home," she said.

As for those who have been making homemade masks at home for healthcare workers, Raimondo said that while it is "a beautiful gesture ... it's probably better for us to handle the distribution of properly made medical equipment."

Read more:

• Coronavirus In Rhode Island Updates: March 20
• Coronavirus 'Relief Payment' Scam Targets Rhode Islanders: AG
• Schools Across RI Prepare For Online Learning: Coronavirus
• Coronavirus In RI: National Guard Activated, 10 New Cases
• RI General Assembly Cancels Sessions For Second Week: Coronavirus