South Kingstown Discourages Out-Of-Town Visits: Coronavirus

SOUTH KINGSTOWN, RI — South Kingstown is the latest coastal Rhode Island community to implement measures to discourage seasonal residents and tourists from visiting. Full-time residents are asked to stay in their homes unless it is necessary to go out, and anyone who comes into the community from New York is asked to self-quarantine for 14 days.

The town has been under a state of emergency since March 15. On Wednesday, the town council approved an executive order with stricter directives for residents, including the following:

• All non-residents and seasonal residents are discouraged from visiting the town
• Full-time residents are asked to avoid all non-essential travel
• Non-residents or seasonal residents coming into the town must self-quarantine for 14 days
• Anyone coming into the town from New York must self quarantine for 14 days
• Owners of short-term rentals in South Kingstown cannot accept any new reservations for dates within the emergency declaration
• South Kingstown residents returning from New York are asked to self-quarantine for 14 days
• All businesses that are still open must post a copy of the new executive order in a place that is visible to anyone entering

South Kingstown police will be enforcing the executive order, and anyone in violation will be fined $500 per day. The executive order will be in place until April 15, and can be extended by the town council if needed.

Town residents are strongly encouraged to follow guidance from the Centers For Disease Control and Prevention and Rhode Island Department of Health, staying home unless it is necessary to do so and using good social distancing practices when out in public. This includes staying at least six feet away from others and avoiding gatherings of 10 people or more. Wash hands frequently and stay home if you feel sick, even a little.

The latest South Kingstown-specific information is available on the town's dedicated COVID-19 website.