Restaurant Closings, Gathering Limits Extended: Coronavirus In RI

PROVIDENCE, RI — Gov. Gina Raimondo extended Rhode Island's social distancing orders, some indefinitely, on Friday. She also announced 38 additional cases of the new coronavirus, bringing the state's total to 203.

"We continue to be a half-step ahead of the virus," she said.

With the sun shining Friday and the weekend looming, the governor reminded Rhode Islanders that it is important to continue to practice social distancing, saying many have asked her if it is acceptable to get together with friends over the weekend.

"The answer is no, no, no and no. You cannot have a dinner party with more than just a few people. You can not go to the park with a bunch of people. You can not be in a group of more than 10 people period, anytime, this week or next week," Raimondo said.

With executive orders coming out "at a dizzying pace," it's hard to keep up with when each expires, Raimondo said. For this reason, she went through each individually, extending some for just a few weeks, while others will be in place indefinitely.

Extended Through April 13

• Bans on gatherings of 10 people or more
• Closure of dine-in services at restaurants (takeout is still ok)
• Requirement that anyone who can work from home does so
• Closure of public entertainment businesses such as zoos, theaters and bowling alleys
• Closure of close service businesses, such as hair salons

Extended Through April 25

• Requirement that anyone flying into T.F. Green Airport self-quarantine for 14 days
• Requirement that anyone coming into the state from New York self-quarantine for 14 days

Extended Through May 8

• Suspension of the Open Meetings Act to allow for remote meetings
• Required coverage for telehealth/medicine visits
• Gun permit background check period extended from seven days to 30

Extended Indefinitely

• Casino closures
• State House closed to visitors
• Visitors banned from hospitals and nursing homes
• All state services conducted online
• DMV operating on an appointment-only basis

"Everybody wants to know about schools. Especially, including my own children," Raimondo continued. "I will make a special announcement around K-12 schools about how we're going to handle the rest of the year on Monday."

One bright spot for Rhode islanders, Raimondo said, is that anyone receiving SNAP benefits will get an extra $140 starting April 1 to help make ends meet during the crisis. All benefits will have a six-month extension and will not need to be renewed monthly.

Going forward, the state will begin to take a pinpointed approach to contain the spread of the virus, focusing on targeted, high-risk groups rather than the general popular. It is for this reason that anyone coming in from New York, a major hot spot for the virus, will be ordered to self-quarantine for 14 days.

"This is not a request, this is the law," Raimondo said, adding that those who violate the order will be subject to a fine or prison time.

Starting Saturday, members of the National Guard will go door-to-door in coastal communities, reminding anyone who has come into the state from New York about the quarantine order. Rhode Island State Police will be stationed at the state's borders and will stop vehicles with New York license plates and National Guard will be stationed at train and bus stations to collect contact information for contact tracing efforts.

Addressing concerns about the practice voiced by the American Civil Liberties Union, Raimondo said that it is not "ideal," but is necessary and constitutional during this emergency situation.

On Saturday, the number of Rhode Islanders under self-quarantine is expected to significantly drop and approximately 1,700 students, staff and teachers from Cranston West High School finish their 14 days, said Dr. Nicole Alexander-Scott, the director of health at the Rhode Island Department of Health. Although the quarantine will no longer be in effect, students are reminded that it's still important to avoid getting together.

At this time, Rhode Island is not ready for a sudden surge in cases, Raimondo said.

"If we were to have an outbreak now similar to what you are seeing in New Orleans, or New York City, or elsewhere, we are not ready for that," Raimondo said.

As part of the preparation effort, the governor is calling for all non-full time healthcare professionals—doctors, nurses, specialists and more—to step up and volunteer their services to make sure that hospitals are ready if a surge comes.

"It's not just about having enough protective equipment and ventilators," she said. "We need you. We need to prepare for the surge."

Anyone who is able to offer their services is asked to do so by registering online. Those who are able to donate medical or protective supplies can fill out the department of health's online form.

Raimondo also acknowledged that there are problems with the state's unemployment insurance system, saying that it was not designed to accommodate the capacity it is currently experiencing. An "unprecedented" number of claims have been filed, with most daily numbers exceeding weekly claims during the Great Recession in 2009. The Department of Labor and Training is working overtime to process the glut of applications and all claims will be paid as soon as possible, Raimondo said.

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