Governor Gina Raimondo and the Rhode Island Department of Health will host a press briefing to provide an update on COVID-19 in Rhode Island at 1 pm on Thursday, May 28th.
What’s Up Newp will carry the press briefing, and provide updates, below as it happens.
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Updates
Gov: Says Phase 2 touches most aspects of the economy, except gathering of large groups. She says lots of new guidance to be posted today at reopeningri.com later today.
Gov: Restaurants can offer indoor dining, 50% capacity allowed. Reservation needed ahead of time. You can’t just walk in to a restaurant, must reserve and give name and phone number . No standing service at bars. Bars that do not serve food can not open. Gov says she is trying to prevent congregating.
Gov: Specific guidelines for retail, indoor dining, and personal services will be posted online by the end of today.
Gov: For personal services, you may need to wait in your car until they can take you for hair cut, etc.
Gov: On Youth Sports – Starting in Phase II, summer youth sports (with stable groups of 15) will be allowed. Guidance and safety precautions will be posted on reopeningri.com later today. No league sports or tournaments will be allowed. Gov. says she is hopeful that come July that league sports may be possible.
Gov: Says adult recreational sports is also allowed with same new guidelines as youth sports.
Gov: On evictions, courts will start hearing eviction cases next week only if they were initiated before March 17th. Announces $5 million dollars in rental assistance. Recipients could recive up to $5,000 to pay for overdue fees. Call 211 for further information.
Governor: Twin River Casinos will reopen on June 8th or 15th depending on readiness. Expects to provide a date tomorrow.
More Updates
Governor Raimondo Announces New Plans for Phase 2, New Funding for Housing Relief Program
Governor Gina M. Raimondo and Nicole Alexander-Scott, MD, MPH, the Director of the Rhode Island Department of Health (RIDOH) provided an update on Rhode Island’s response to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) crisis.
Guidance for personal services, restaurants, and youth sports reopenings in Phase 2 will be available today on ReopeningRI.com.
The Governor also announced that the state will be making available an additional $5 million in funding for the Housing Help RI emergency rental assistance fund. This money is available to lower income renters who have been impacted by the COVID-19 emergency and are at immediate risk of homelessness. Those who qualify can receive a grant of up to $5,000 to support past due rent payments and other fees. For information, go to HousingHelpRI.com or call 211.
COVID-19 Data Update
RIDOH announced 124 new cases of COVID-19 today. This brings Rhode Island’s case count to 14,494. RIDOH also announced 22 additional COVID-19 associated fatalities. Rhode Island’s number of COVID-19 associated fatalities is now 677. A full data summary for Rhode Island is posted online.
Key messages for the public
- Anyone who is sick should stay home and self-isolate (unless going out for testing or healthcare).
- The people who live with that person and who have been in direct close contact with that person should self-quarantine for 14 days after the last day that that person was in isolation. Direct close contact means being within approximately 6 feet of a person for a prolonged period.
- Help is available for people living in quarantine or isolation due to COVID-19. Visit www.RIDelivers.com [ridelivers.com] for connections to groceries, home supplies, restaurants, and mutual aid groups. People can also call 2-1-1.
- When people are in public, they should wear a cloth face covering. A cloth face covering is a material that covers the nose and mouth. It could be sewn by hand or improvised from household items such as scarves, T-shirts, or bandanas.
- Groups of more than five people should not be gathering. Always avoid close personal contact with other people in public.
- People who think they have COVID-19 should call their healthcare provider. Do not go directly to a healthcare facility without first calling a healthcare provider (unless you are experiencing a medical emergency).
- People with general, non-medical questions about COVID-19 can visit www.health.ri.gov/covid, write to RIDOH.COVID19Questions@health.ri.gov, or call 401-222-8022. This is the COVID-19 Hotline that RIDOH has available to the public.
- Everyone can help stop the spread of viruses in Rhode Island.
- Wash your hands often throughout the day. Use warm water and soap. If soap and water are not available, use hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol.
- Cough or sneeze into your elbow.
- Stay home and do not leave your house if you are sick, unless it is for emergency medical care.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth. Germs spread this way.
The Latest Data
May 28th: RIDOH reports 124 new positive cases (total now 14,494), 22 new associated fatalities (total now 677), 222 are currently hospitalized (53 in ICU, 36 on ventilator).