Phase 1 Reopening: What To Expect At RI's Stores, Restaurants

PROVIDENCE, RI — Rhode Islanders got a glimpse at what they can expect once the state slowly begins to lift coronavirus-related restrictions. If all continues to go well over the next few days, Gov. Gina Raimondo said she expects to lift the stay-at-home restriction when the current executive order expires on May 8.

Despite the warm weather, Raimondo said she was impressed by Rhode Islanders over the weekend, who, in general, followed the current restrictions well. A spot-check of businesses by the Department of Business Regulation found that more than 95 percent of customers in stores obeyed mask orders, while nearly 100 percent followed 6-foot social distancing requirements.

During Monday's daily news conference, the governor outlined specific guidelines for industries that will be allowed to slowly reopen during Phase One, which is expected to last approximately 14 days.

"I am focused on getting people back to work," Raimondo said. "How do I get the most people back to work as safely, and quickly, as possible."

Recommendations for stores, restaurants and offices are listed below. Later in the week, Raimondo said she will specify which are guidelines and which are enforceable orders.

Retail stores

• Customers will still be encouraged to shop online and pickup orders at the curb.
• Some browsing will be allowed on a limited basis, with the number of customers depending on the size of the store. A one person per 300 feet of space, the current model employed during senior hours, will be used as the basis.
• Fabric masks must be worn by both employees and customers.
• Clear barriers will be required between cashiers and customers at checkout counters.
• Customers will be encouraged to pay in advance or use contactless forms of payment.

"As long as you can comply with these rules, go ahead and open your doors, and get your sales open again," Raimondo said.

Restaurants

• Dine-in service will not be allowed during Phase One.
• A little later in Phase One, restaurants will be allowed to begin offering outdoor seating options, with strict regulations.
• Table placements must follow social distancing requirements.
• Restaurants cannot offer any frequently touched, reusable items such as menus, condiments or silverware. Everything will have to be individually wrapped, Raimondo said.
• Restaurants that do not currently have outdoor seating are encouraged to "be creative," such as converting part of the parking lot or another nearby outdoor space. The state is working with the League of Cities and Towns to discuss outdoor dining options in parks, open spaces and even closed streets.
• The state decided to pivot away from the pilot program for restaurants and focus more on outdoor dining to ensure fairness, Raimondo said.
• More dining options will be a major focus during Phase Two. Restaurants that cannot open during Phase One will have more options at that time.

"Restaurants are going to have to do a lot of thinking now for how you are going to open down the road," Raimondo said. "Dining and other close contact businesses will definitely be the focus of Phase Two."

Offices

• During Phase One, all employees who can continue to work from home are asked to do so, which should be most employees, Raimondo said.
• Employees who primarily work from home can go to the office occasionally if they need to.
• Employers are encouraged to offer staggered shifts and make sure employees work in the same teams every day, to minimize exposure to large groups of people.
• Employers will be required to screen all workers for symptoms every day and require anyone who is sick, no matter what the symptoms, to stay home until they are well.

"Every employer is going to have to screen every employee to see if they are sick every day," Raimondo said. "I'm asking you to let your employees continue to work from home for the next two weeks."

As the stay-at-home restrictions lift, the state will have to more strictly enforce other requirements, such as masking. An executive order relating to masks is expected in the coming days. All Rhode Islanders are currently encouraged to carry a mask with them at all times and to put it on any time they are in a public area with other people.

As part of Phase One, nonessential medical services will also ramp up, such as immunizations and nonemergency procedures. Anyone who has put off health care since the start of the pandemic is encouraged to make an appointment with their doctor now, while a schedule of when hospitals will reopen for such procedures will be announced this week, Raimondo said.

During the first phase of reopening, visitation will still be banned at nursing homes and hospitals. While this was a very difficult decision, it was an absolutely necessary one, Raimondo said. As the state starts to reopen, it's even more important to double down efforts to protect the state's most vulnerable people, she said.

Later this week, the governor said she plans to make an announcement about travel, which will include interstate travel, public transit, the Block Island Ferry and more.

Patch Editor Scott Souza contributed to this report.