New Coronavirus Regulations Coming In Rhode Island

PROVIDENCE, RI — New restrictions are coming to Rhode Island Friday afternoon as coronavirus cases continue to climb in the state.

Gov. Gina Raimondo announced the forthcoming changes during Wednesday's news conference, saying "everything is on the table," including a return to phase two of reopening.

The three key coronavirus indicators in the state — the percent positive rate, new hospital admissions and new case numbers — continue to rise. On Wednesday, Raimondo said current trends show the state could exceed its hospital surge capacity within four weeks if transmission is not slowed.

With Halloween just one day away and Thanksgiving fast approaching, Raimondo and Department of Health Director Dr. Nicole Alexander-Scott urged Rhode Islanders to cancel all Halloween parties, keep trick-or-treating limited and keep Thanksgiving gatherings small and local.

Raimondo also asked residents to make a list of the very few people they absolutely must come in contact with and limit their gatherings to just these people, always wearing a mask when they do and avoiding all other nonessential social interactions for the time being.

Raimondo will hold a news conference at 1 p.m. to discuss the new regulations. Watch live on the governor's Facebook page.