SK Expands Executive Order, No Longer Singles Out Students

SOUTH KINGSTOWN, RI — Following backlash from the community and the American Civil Liberties Union, South Kingstown officials amended an executive order limiting gatherings of University of Rhode Island students.

Following the announcement of the new policy last week, the American Civil Liberties Union of Rhode Island called for its immediate revocation, saying it was unfair to single out students in this way.

"This executive order is an extraordinary abuse of municipal powers," the organization said in a statement. "It goes well beyond the thoughtful restrictions that have been put in place by the Governor and Department of Health. By its own terms, this Order bans any classes at URI or any other school in the town with more than 15 people, no matter what social distancing practices are in place, and similarly prohibits a wide array of other activities that are allowable anywhere else in the state."

The ACLU went on to call the order "grossly unfair," saying it "divests responsibility from the town’s population as a whole in seeking to contain COVID-19."

The amended policy now applies to everyone in South Kingstown. Following the state's social gatherings guidance, all events, indoor or outdoor, must have 15 people or fewer, with exceptions for restaurants and catered events such as weddings.

The order will be in place until Sept. 29.