Governor Gina M. Raimondo yesterday announced that Rhode Island’s stay-at-home order will lift this Saturday, May 9th.

Raimondo announced Phase 1 will begin with the following restrictions:

Restaurants will continue to be only to offer take-out and delivery service only. Governor Raimondo has shared that she is hoping to allow restaurants to do limited outdoor dining at the end of Phase I. Restaurants can also continue to sell beer and wine with food orders, and beginning Saturday can sell sealed mixed drinks. What’s Up Newp is waiting for further and official language on this.

Phase I is expected to last at least two weeks.

Today, the Governor will issue a new executive order extending the ban on social gatherings of five people until May 22nd.

Reminder on Face Masks – Effective today, any person who is in a place open to the public, whether indoors or outdoors, shall cover their mouth and nose with a mask or cloth face covering unless doing so would damage the person’s health. No person under two years of age or any person whose health would be damaged thereby shall be required to wear a face covering. Face coverings are not required for people who can easily, continuously, and measurably maintain at least six (6) feet of distance from other people. Face coverings shall also not be required of those who are developmentally unable to comply, including young children who may not be able to effectively wear a mask.

In addition, the following orders will extend through May 22nd:

  • Domestic Travel: Anyone coming to Rhode Island from any other state for a non-work-related purpose by any mode of transportation must self-quarantine for 14 days. This restriction will not apply to anyone traveling for medical treatment or to obtain necessities like groceries, gas, or medication.
  • Restaurant dine-in: Restaurants, bars, and cafes will remain closed to dine-in service. Wine and beer can still be sold with take-out orders. In addition, starting Saturday, restaurants and bars will be allowed to sell mixed drinks in sealed containers.
  • Businesses closures: Recreation and entertainment businesses will remain closed. This includes theaters, cinemas, bowling alleys, concert venues, museums, and zoos. Close-contact businesses will also remain closed. This includes gyms, fitness centers, yoga studios, hair salons, nail salons, barber shops, and tattoo parlors.

In addition, the following executive orders will be extended to June 5th:

  • International Travel: Anyone coming to Rhode Island from outside of the country must self-quarantine for 14 days.
  • Quarantining: Anyone who has been diagnosed with coronavirus by a lab test or by a doctor who has assessed symptoms must isolate until cleared based on guidance from the Rhode Island Department of Health (RIDOH). 
  • Gun Permits: In keeping with a request from the Rhode Island Police Chiefs’ Association, the state has extended the time period that law enforcement has to complete a background for a gun permit from seven days to 30 days.
  • Telehealth: Health insurers must cover telemedicine for primary care, specialty care and mental and behavioral health care.

In Phase 1, places of worship will be allowed to reopen for groups of five only. Drive-in services are allowed as long as people remain in their cars. Funerals will be allowed to have a maximum of 10 people, as long as they are appropriately socially distanced. More guidance for religious settings will be available on ReopeningRI.com today. 

The Governor’s Press Briefing will take place at 1 pm today. What’s Up Newp will carry it live for you then on our website and Facebook Page.

Here’s more the plan to reopen Rhode Island;