Reopening RI: 2 State Beaches To Reopen, Church Services Resume
PROVIDENCE, RI — Two Rhode Island state beaches will reopen in time for Memorial Day, while faith services will be allowed to resume before the end of the month, Gov. Gina Raimondo announced Monday. In both cases, strict guidelines will be in place, all of which will be posted on the state's reopening website.
Next Monday, Scarborough and East Matunuck will reopen, in very limited capacities. Parking spaces will be very limited, and restrooms, changing rooms and concession stands will remain closed. No lifeguards will be on duty, and fees will not be charged, Raimondo said. Portable bathrooms will likely be set up in parking lots to make up for the restroom closures, she added.
Faith gatherings will also be allowed to resume before the end of the month, Raimondo said. In-person services can be held starting the weekend of May 30, with guidelines in place to address issues such as hymnals, the distribution of communion in Christian services and more.
"We've really tried to balance people's needs and rights and worship with the realities of this public crisis.," Raimondo said. "I have decided that we are going to target in-person, faith services the weekend of May 30."
More information about both churches and beaches will be posted on the state's reopening website later this week, Raimondo said.
As of Monday, all state parks are open in Rhode Island, as well. Goddard Memorial Park and Rock Point Park, which were the last to remain closed, are now open for use. Over the weekend, Rhode Islanders followed the rules well at open state parks, Raimondo said, where there were no reports of overcrowding despite the summer-like temperatures.
Guidelines are still being developed for hair salons and other close-contact businesses, which are expected to reopen at the beginning of phase 2. The state is speaking with salon owners to develop these regulations, Raimondo said, to ensure that they are beneficial and easy to follow.
"We want to meet you where you are," Raimondo said.
When it comes to developing regulations and offering guidelines on specific events, Raimondo said it's very important for leaders to use their best judgement when making decisions.
"I cannot be in the business of telling everybody: 'This is OK. This is not OK.'" the governor said. "Common sense does have to prevail. This is going to be an issue that is going to come up again, and again, and again for the next nine months. We have rules to keep you alive and healthy."
Raimondo also reminded Rhode Islanders that the regulations, while disappointing at times, are needed to keep everyone safe and prevent more major outbreaks of coronavirus.
"It is foolish to think you can trick the virus, outrun the virus, try to get around the rules," she continued. "As summer comes, if we start to see big social gatherings, we are going to have to shut them down."
Patch editor Scott Souza contributed to this report.
This article originally appeared on the Cranston Patch
