New Regulations In Effect Amid RI Coronavirus Surge

Rachel Nunes
Updated ·5 min read

PROVIDENCE, RI — New regulations are in place to slow the spread of the coronavirus in Rhode Island. On Friday. Gov. Gina Raimondo announced the first of two rounds of new restrictions, targeted at informal social gatherings, which have been a major source of transmission.

The main focus at this time is to maintain a targeted approach that allows businesses to stay open and in-person learning at schools to continue, the governor said. Friday was the first round of new regulations, with more changes coming next week.

"If the trend goes on for another week or two, we can't [have targeted restrictions,]" Raimondo said. "It's back to shutdown."

Effective Friday, the state's social gathering limit was lowered to 10 people or fewer from 15. For the next two weeks, it's absolutely essential that Rhode Islanders keep small, stable groups, seeing no more than 10 people in total.

"The fact of the matter is we're seeing too many parties," Raimondo said, adding that the average party size has been 23 people, according to case investigations.

The state will continue to crack down on large gatherings, the governor said, which have been identified as the main cause for spread in the state. One high school party she cited in the East Bay had 12 confirmed cases so far, with as many as 1,000 people in quarantine as a result and at least four school districts impacted. In this case and in others, investigators will determine culpability and fine hosts $500 for each person over the gathering limit.

While it is normal to want to gather with friends and family, especially as the holidays approach, it's just too dangerous to do so at this time, Raimondo said.

"The consequences of that, right now, are just too high," she said.

Mask compliance

For the past few weeks, Raimondo and Dr. Nicole Alexander-Scott, the director of the Department of Health, have urged the importance of mask-wearing in all setting outside the immediate household, not just when in public. This includes small, informal gatherings, even those within a person's small, closed "pod."

Starting Friday, the governor also strengthened the regulations around public mask-wearing, requiring businesses to not only post a sign stating the need to have a face covering, but to address customers who do not wear a mask directly.

"You have an active obligation to ask the person to put on a mask or leave the store," she said.

In addition, Department of Business Regulation inspectors will levy stricter fines for businesses that do not comply with the updated mask-wearing regulations.

Sports

For the next two weeks, spectators will be banned from youth sports games, to help stem sports-related cases. Some exceptions will be made for the youngest children.

While it was a difficult decision to make, Raimondo said it was necessary to allow sports to continue. With just a few weeks left in the season, she said the state is doing everything it can to ensure it is allowed to finish.

Starting Monday, all indoor sports facilities, such as ice rinks, will close for one week to allow for discussions about new, stricter safety regulations. To date, one third of coronavirus cases connected to youth sports have come from hockey, Raimondo said. She said she hoped to reopen the facilities within a week, but would only do so if it was safe.

Raimondo also said she hopes winter sports will be allowed to happen, and that state leaders are currently working on guidelines and safety measures.

Religious gatherings

While faith leaders across the state have been extremely helpful and compliant throughout the pandemic, informal gatherings before and after religious services have been identified as a source of virus transmission. On Friday, the governor called on all faith leaders to both offer and encourage virtual services, and to discourage attendees from gathering to chat or have coffee afterwards.

Those who do still wish to attend services in person can do so, Raimondo said, but must wear their mask the entire time and avoid socializing with friends or relatives before and after, particularly without a mask.

Visitation

Although the majority of cases in the state continue to be in those aged 20 to 40, most hospitalizations are in the state's elderly population, which continues to be the hardest hit throughout the pandemic. For that reason, visitation at nursing homes and hospitals will be decreased in the coming week, though not completely halted, as was the case in the spring.

Raimondo acknowledged the importance of staying connected with family members, and said the Department of Health is working to find an equitable solution that protects the state's most vulnerable population while avoiding complete isolation.

"If you're an older person, you should be taking extreme caution," she said.

Offices

While offices are generally stable environments, some spread has been linked to workplaces, especially in more relaxed settings. Raimondo again asked all employers to let their employees work from home if possible, and said that $5 million is available from the commerce department to help pay for relocation costs such as internet access or laptops to help achieve this goal.

Another area of concern related to offices are carpools, which are only safe if everyone is masked and all windows are open, Raimondo said. As the weather continues to get colder, it's important for employers, especially in the manufacturing industry, to help employees find alternatives to carpooling, such as shifting schedules, allowing some people to telecommute or offering to provide transportation.

Rhode Island's second wave: Read more


This article originally appeared on the Cranston Patch