RI Restart Rules Set For May 9

PROVIDENCE — With reported public and business social distancing rules responsibly observed, Gov. Gina M. Raimondo announced tentative RI restart rules for lifting the stay-home order and beginning the first phase of reopening May 9.

Raimondo reported, according to law enforcement, most in public, with few exceptions, were wearing masks and staying a safe six feet from each other. The Department of Business Regulation also reported, after anonymous inspections of 300 businesses, 95 percent of customers in the state were wearing masks, and 100 percent of them observed safe six-foot distances between each other inside buildings.

“That should give you confidence. I want you to feel confident, that if you continue to do these things, wear your masks, wash your hands, stay at home if you’re sick, stay six feet away from people, it’s going to be safe to come out, increasingly, as we go forward.”

So, she said, she’s confident RI can begin reopening parts of the economy, starting with new operating guidelines for retail, offices, restaurants and healthcare.

Raimondo said this phase will be slow and limited. Most who can work from home should continue to do so. If you need to return to the office to do your job, she said, you can begin to return now. According to the RI Department of Health, the following guidelines apply for those industries:

 

Retail Non-critical retail stores that have been closed will be allowed to reopen in-person operations, including for limited in-person browsing.

Offices Everyone who can work from home should continue to work from home. In the meantime, employers should begin taking steps immediately to prepare for eventually bringing more employees back into the office.

The following rules will apply in office and retail settings:

• Pre-ordering and in-store pick-up will still be encouraged as the safest option.
• Retailers will be able to have one person browsing for every 300 square feet of space.
• Every staff member and customer will need to wear a mask at all times.
• Staggered work schedules, alone or in pods.
• Every employer screens every employee, every day.
• Anyone sick with any symptoms should stay home.
• Commons spaces closed (no break rooms)
• Keep people six feet apart in all settings.
• Constant cleaning and specific work areas/desks

Restaurants Later in phase 1, limited outdoor in-person seating options at restaurants will be allowed. The following rules will be in place:

• Outdoor seating
• Seating by reservation-only
• Staff wearing masks
• No commonly touched items – menus, condiments, silverware, will all have to be individually wrapped.

Healthcare In phase 1, anyone who has deferred healthcare needs, including well-visits and specialty care should call their primary care provider. Telehealth is still the best option if possible. 

Congregate Care: Visitation restrictions for nursing homes, hospitals, and assisted living centers will continue.

A pdf file of the Gov. Raimondo’s RI Restart Rules is embedded at this link.

Additional reading:

RI Restart: Raimondo Details State Reboot

RI Joins State PPE Pact For Medical Supplies

RI COVID-19 Antibody Tests Accurate, Study Says

RI Bolsters Robust COVID-19 Testing