'Everything Is A Good News Story': Raimondo On Coronavirus In RI

PROVIDENCE, RI — Rhode Island is still in a good position to move to phase two of reopening on June 1, Gov. Gina Raimondo said Tuesday. Despite the summer-like weather over the weekend, there were no instances of major crowding and high compliance with mask-wearing orders, Raimondo said.

"Everything is a good news story," Raimondo said of the coronavirus in Rhode Island. "We've started our phase one a few weeks ago. We haven't seen any spikes or increases. Everyone should be confident that we are learning to live with the virus."

Over the weekend, there were no major issues with large crowds or violations of social distancing orders, Raimondo said, including when beaches reopened on Monday, though that could be in part due to the overcast weather.

"Overwhelmingly, people were out and about, but doing the right thing," Raimondo said. "We were prepared for thousands of people to show up at the beaches. Hundreds of people showed up. But we were ready."

The Department of Business Regulation visited several hundred businesses to check compliance with coronavirus-related executive orders. Of those visited, 98 percent of employees were wearing masks, along with 97 percent of members of the public. These are the best mask-wearing numbers the state has seen to date, Raimondo said. As the state continues to reopen, mask-wearing and social distancing will be even more important, she said.

"Big crowds are the problem. Being close with people for a long period of time is a problem," Raimondo said. "We really want to avoid being inside in close proximity to each other."

Both Raimondo and Rhode Island Department of Health Director Dr. Nicole Alexander-Scott said that fabric face coverings are essential to help prevent spikes in cases as the state reopens. Although they do not prevent a person from contracting the virus, they are effective at containing the droplets that could contain the virus that are release when a person breathes or talks. New data shows that these droplets can remain in the air for up to eight minutes, Raimondo said, which further illustrates why outdoor areas that have constant air exchange are safer than confined indoor spaces.

"We know outside is safer," she said.