Coronavirus: Dunkin' Donuts, Convention Centers Reschedule Events

PROVIDENCE, RI — Following Governor Gina Raimondo's call for the cancellation of all events with 250 people or more for the next two weeks, upcoming events at the Rhode Island Convention Center and Dunkin' Donuts Center have been postponed or canceled. The move was part of the governor's "radical, aggressive" policies to prevent the spread of the new coronavirus in Rhode Island.

In a statement, the facilities' leaders said they are following the governor's advisory, and are working to reschedule planned events. Most will be moved to a later date, the statement said, rather than canceled outright.

No further information is available at this time regarding upcoming Providence Bruins games at the Dunkin' Donuts Center, but an update is expected soon, the statement said.

"We all appreciate the understanding and patience of our clients, event attendees and hockey fans during this unprecedented time," the statement said.

At a press conference on Wednesday, Raimondo said she knows the move is a drastic one, but containing the spread of the virus in the state is her top priority.

"We only have one chance to contain this," she said. "If we do this now, we'll all be better off in the long run."

There have been five confirmed cases in the state so far, and nearly 100 people have tested negative for the virus. The Rhode Island Department of Health is conducting "extensive contact tracing" to ensure that everyone who has traveled to an area where the virus is widely spread or has been in contact with someone who has it stays home and self-quarantines for 14 days.

The event cancellation request applies to those with attendees of 250 people or more, for the next two weeks. During that time, organizers are asked to take special precautions for events that will go on as scheduled. Anyone who is showing and symptoms of illness at all or is over the age of 60 is strongly urged to stay home, while healthy event attendees are asked to stay at least six feet away from one another if possible.

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All Rhode Islanders are asked to continue to take steps to avoid spreading disease. These include:

• Wash hands frequently with warm water and soap or use alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
• Get a flu shot, and encourage those around you to do the same. While this will not help prevent the spread of the coronavirus, it is an effective tool to keep people with the flu from developing complications that require hospitalization.
• Cough or sneeze into your elbow rather than a hand or the air.
• Stay home from school or work if sick.
• Keep surfaces, especially bedside tables, bathrooms and children's toys clean by wiping them down with disinfectant.
• Get plenty of sleep, by physically active, manage stress, drink plenty of fluids and eat nutritious foods to maintain good health.

The CDC does not recommend that otherwise healthy people wear a face mask to protect themselves from respiratory viruses, including the new coronavirus. Only wear a mask if a healthcare provider instructs you to do so, the Department of Health said. Those with symptoms are asked to wear a mask to help prevent spreading the disease to others.

Anyone who feels unwell is asked to call their healthcare provider before going into an office or hospital. Most people will be able to recover from the virus at home, without the need for hospitalization, Alexander-Scott said. The health department set up a hotline for general questions about COVID-19 at 401-222-8022.

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