What To Expect In Phase 3 Of Reopening In RI

PROVIDENCE, RI — Rhode Islanders will be allowed to gather in much larger numbers in phase three of reopening, Gov, Gina Raimondo announced Friday. Indoor gatherings will be capped at 75 people, while outdoors will be limited to 150 people.

"Phase one was very limited. In phase two, which we have been doing for a couple of weeks now, we have reopened almost every part of our economy," Raimondo said. "Phase three will be an even more significant reopening. Almost everything will be open in some fashion."

The phase two executive order is set to expire June 29. It has been approximately two weeks since the beginning of phase, and the state has not seen any major spikes in cases.

"I am optimistic when that ends I will be able to do a new executive order, and we will start phase three," Raimondo said.

Unlike in earlier phases, the state is not releasing stringent, specific guidelines for each industry, Instead, general guidelines will apply across the board.

"I want to get out of the business of telling you exactly what to do and exactly how to do it," she said. "We're going to trust you to do the right thing."

In phase three, the following limits will be in place

• Indoor social gatherings: 50 to 75 people
• Outdoor social gatherings: 75 to 150 people
• Businesses limited to square footage capacity (retail stores): one person per 100 square feet
• Percent-based businesses (restaurants and churches): up to two-thirds capacity
• Closed indoor entertainment venues such as theaters, museums, bowling alleys arcades and museums: can reopen up to two-thirds capacity or one person per 100 square feet
• Child care groups: increase from stable groups to 10 children to 20 children
• Nursing home visitation: will be allowed in a limited capacity, more details to be announced

Gathering limits are a range, Raimondo said, because the lower number is encouraged and the higher number is the hard limit. When planning an event, organizers are encouraged to take different factors into consideration to find the limit that works best for them, keeping in mind the maximum.

One of the main focuses of phase three is the difference between social gatherings and public areas, Raimondo continued. Social gatherings are groups of people come together and all know each other fairly well, such as a dinner party, backyard barbecue or a wedding. Public gatherings, meanwhile, are places where large groups gather, but don't necessarily know each other, such as a public festival, Fourth of July parade or a state park or beach. While there is technically no limit on outdoor public gatherings, organizers are strongly encouraged to limit them to 250 people or fewer.

Certain large entertainment venues, such as the Dunkin' Donuts Center, will be asked to communicate with the Rhode Island Department of Health when planning events of 250 people or more, since 66 percent capacity could mean thousands of attendees.

Patch editor Scott Souza contributed to this report.