Raimondo: Parks To Reopen First; Beaches, Child Care To Follow

PROVIDENCE, RI —Rhode Island state parks will be among the first public areas to reopen once the phased process begins, Gov. Gina Raimondo said Friday. Beaches will likely remain closed until around Memorial Day, she said, and the goal is to reopen child care centers on June 1.

A full list of parks that will open in the fist phase will be published on the Department of Environmental Management's website by the end of day, Raimondo said. Lincoln Woods, Snake Den, Fort Adams, Beavertail and Haines State Parks will be among the first to reopen, ideally starting May 9.

"From everything I see now, if we are able to stay on the path we are on now ... it is my intention to let that stay-at-home expire on May 8," Raimondo said. "We're on a good path. We're on a safe path. Obey the stay-at-home order, as we all do, until May 8. Then on May 9, I hope, we will begin to open the state's economy."

The reopened parks will have strict restrictions to ensure the safety of visitors, included limited parking spaces and more enforcement to make sure that people are staying ta least 6 feet away from each other. While small groups can come to use the park, any organized sports or cookouts will not be allowed, she said. Visitors will be asked to limit their time in these public spaces to allow others the opportunity ti use them, as well.

Beaches will reopen as part of Phase Two, which is expected to be around Memorial Day, or the traditional kickoff to Rhode Island's beach season. They, too, will have restrictions, though specific guidelines have not yet been finalized.

"The guiding principle will be to start really, really slowly," Raimondo said.

With some parents beginning to return to work as the economy reopens, child care will become even more of a necessity, Raimondo said. Child care centers have been asked to develop reopening plans and submit them to the Department of Human Services by May 22, with plans to reopen on June 1.

Closing child care centers and schools were "some of the hardest decisions" made during the pandemic, Raimondo said, although it was "the only safe option."

"Let me be clear: We are going to do everything we can to get this done by June 1, because we know you need it," she said.

As with all other reopening industries, there will be restrictions in child care centers, such as groups of 10 children or fewer, not changing out children or teachers in groups, plans for cleaning facilities, temperature screenings, changes to drop-off and pick-up schedules and more.

"I want everyone to start understanding - really understanding - it's going to look different, it's going to feel different, it's going to be difficult. But it's what we're going to do," Raimondo continued.

Health Care

As businesses and other industries start to reopen, so too will nonessential medical services. In the next few weeks, nonessential procedures will begin again, which will provide much-needed income for hospitals and allow Rhode Islanders to get the procedures and surgeries they need. A finalized plan is expected next week.

In a similar vein, Dr. Nicole Alexander-Scott, the director of the Rhode Island Department of Health, encouraged residents to continue to seek routine and emergency care, despite the coronavirus pandemic. Emergency rooms are still open for urgent care and primary care providers are available for appointments, especially via telehealth services. Even though the state is under a stay-at-home order, going to the doctor for immunizations, annual physicals, prenatal care and other routine health care counts as essential, the doctor said.

When the state begins to reopen, doctor's offices are expected to see a surge in appointments, so Alexander-Scott encouraged Rhode Islanders to reach out now to get the care they need. To make sure primary care providers have the personal protective equipment they need, the Department of Health is sending out order forms for surgical masks.

Debt Collection

Rhode Islanders who are worried that their federal stimulus check will be seized by debt collection agencies can rest assured, Raimondo said. This is not allowed under the CARES act, and Attorney General Peter Neronha has committed to protecting residents. Anyone who is concerned about a debt collection agency trying to seize their check is encouraged to reach out to the Consumer Protection Division at 401-274-4400.

With that said, Raimondo reminded Rhode Islanders that stimulus checks are intended to help Americans pay their bills and keep the economy going, and should therefore be used to pay bills if needed.

"Don't fall behind more than necessary," she said.

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Patch Editor Scott Souza contributed to this report.