Coronavirus In RI: Raimondo Breaks Down Steps To Reopen Economy

PROVIDENCE, RI — With several weeks still left until the end of Rhode Island's current stay-at-home order, Gov. Gina Raimondo said her team is hard at work to get the state ready to eventually reopen the economy. She outlined six benchmarks that must be addressed before businesses can begin to reopen and Rhode Islanders start to return to work.

"We know we were still in the curve where we are on the incline, not the decline. It is nothing to be alarmed about. What we do know is that we have flattened the curve and lowered the peak," Raimondo said. "Every case is sad. Every death is tragic. But if you look at where we are today, and look at where we could have been if we had not taken swift action, you should have confidence ... I predict four, six, nine months from now, that when we are back to living our lives more how we were, you will see Rhode Island is on the cutting edge."

As has been the message all along, the state will be in a "new normal" when the economy starts to reopen, Raimondo said. Rather than an immediate return to the way to the things were before, things will happen in stages, the governor said, with certain industries opening before others.

"We know that even when we get back to business, and go back to school, and come out of our homes - which I hope to be soon - we are going to be living under different circumstances," Raimondo said. "Right now we are limited to groups of five. We are not going from groups of five to 50 overnight ... We are going to have to be flexible."

The six key factors are outlined below.

1. A slowed rate of new cases in the state. Raimondo said previously that she will begin to consider reopening once 14 days have passed with a decrease in the number of new cases.
2. The capacity to quickly identify community spread to avoid a widespread outbreak.
3. Ensure there is support for vulnerable populations such as the elderly and homeless, as well as the ability to effectively quarantine and support those who test positive.
4. Adequate capacity in the healthcare system and in stocks of personal protective equipment to manage future outbreaks or surges.
5. Have plans in place for long-term social distancing in businesses, child care facilities, faith organizations and more.
6. The ability and plans to reimpose measures or reclose parts of the economy as needed in the future, ideally without another complete shutdown.

"If we have to throttle back the economy, it will be more pinpointed. Maybe just a particular business, or particular kind of business, or particular region, that has to be closed. That is what I think is likely to happen," Raimondo said.

While reopening the economy is extremely important, the state faces several challenges compared to other states, the governor continued.

"I want as many people working, at all times, as safely as possible. Unfortunately, we face some headwinds," she said.

These "headwinds" include the state's dense population, the high concentration of seniors, a high number of small businesses — especially those with 10 employees or fewer — which are some of the hardest-hit by the crisis and the fact that tourism makes up a large percentage of the economy.

"Tourism has really been hit hard across America, and we will feel that doubly hard here," Raimondo said.

The current stay-at-home order is in place until May 8. In the approximately two-and-a-half weeks until then, Raimondo said she hopes to see a decline in the number of cases.

"It is really my hope that between now and May 8 we will see a decline in the infection rate so we can move forward," she said.

Also on Monday, Raimondo announced that additional food assistance benefits will be offered to families of students who qualify for free or reduced lunch. Because so many children rely on schools for hot breakfast and lunch, many families are struggling with food insecurity now more than ever, Raimondo said.

The USDA has approved additional SNAP benefits for approximately 73,000 families in Rhode Island. Each will receive $5.70 per child, per day of the school closure, retroactive to March 15. The benefits are retroactive to March 15, or about $200 per child so far. Current EBT users should see the additional funds on their cards as soon as today, while those who are not currently enrolled should receive a card in the mail by May 1 with the money pre-loaded onto it.

In some areas, such as Providence, everyone is automatically eligible, so some people may receive a card even if they don't need or want it. If that is the case, simply destroy it and the money will be returned to the federal government, Raimondo said.

Patch Editor Scott Souza contributed to this report.

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