RI Seeing 'Broad Compliance' Of Coronavirus Regulations

PROVIDENCE, RI — Rhode Island continues to do well with social distancing and other coronavirus-related guidelines as the phased reopening process ramps up, Gov. Gina Raimondo said. Monday marked the beginning of phase two in the state, which allows many businesses shuttered by the pandemic to open their doors again.

Despite the summer-like weather over the weekend, Rhode Islanders continued to wear masks, keep distance between themselves and others and avoid large gatherings, Raimondo said. The Department of Business Regulation continued to spot-check businesses for compliance and found that more than 95 percent of customers and nearly 100 percent of employees wore masks.

The area that needs the most improvement is COVID-19 response plans, which are required for a business to open. While these plans do not need to be submitted to the government, they must be printed out and kept on file in case of an inspection. Only about 70 percent of businesses had plans on hand over the weekend, Raimondo said.

"The one area where we need to do quite a bit better is that we need every single business that is open to fill out their COVID-control plan," she said. "Seventy percent is not OK. One hundred percent is needed to fill out that COVID-control plan."

There were a few instances of crowding in outdoor areas over the weekend, the governor said, particularly Colt and Lincoln Woods State Parks.

"I just want to remind you that just because you are outdoors doesn't mean you are immune to the virus, and don't have to follow the rules," Raimondo said.

This weekend also saw the return of in-person faith services in Rhode Island, which also went well, the governor said. Very few people chose to attend Mass at her church, Raimondo said, but the service was conducted safely, with plenty of distance between parishioners, requirements for masks and the service ending after communion was distributed. During phase two, faith services are limited to 25 percent of the building's capacity.

"It's clear it will take a while for everyone to feel comfortable. But everyone did a good job," Raimondo said. "It is a lot of work for these faith leaders. They are working hard to keep you safe."

Another long-awaited service that resumed in Rhode Island Monday: child care services. The "massive undertaking" by the Department of Human Services allowed 600 centers to open their doors, following strict limits on group sizes, daily temperature checks, requirements for cleaning and more. All child care centers are required to submit a reopening plan to the department, which must be approved in order to open.

The governor reminded business owners that it's ok to not be ready to reopen yet, saying it is better to wait until they are prepared to do so safely.

"All weekend long we have heard from so many small businesses that we will not be ready for Monday," Raimondo said. "That is fine. It is so much more important for you to be ready than to open today."

Patch editor Scott Souza contributed to this report.

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