Governor Gina M. Raimondo and Director of Health Nicole Alexander-Scott, MD, MPH today made several important announcements about the state’s response to the COVID-19 public health crisis. Schools: The next two weeks—from Monday, March 23rd through Friday April 3—will be distance learning weeks for all public schools in Rhode Island. During this time, school buildings will […]
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Middletown setting up a call-in center to handle inquiries related to COVID-19
Just two days after declaring a State of Emergency, the Town of Middletown announced today that they are taking additional precautions to care for the needs of residents during this critical time. As part of this operation, the Town announced today that it is setting up a call-in center at the Emergency Operations Center (EOC) to […]
Watch: Governor Raimondo, DOH provides COVID-19 update
Please note: This story is being updated as new information comes in. Please check back for any updates. Governor Gina M. Raimondo and Director of Health Nicole Alexander-Scott, MD, MPH provides updates to reporters about Rhode Island’s coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Video Takeaways from press conference; 33 positive case of coronavirus in Rhode Island. Up […]
RI DDD will limit face-to-face contact; providers launch emergency plans
In an open letter to Rhode Island’s developmental disability community, Kerri Zanchi, Director of the state Division of Developmental Disabilities, has spelled out steps the Division is taking to limit person-to-person contact to curb the spread of the coronavirus, while still remaining responsive to the needs of individuals and families. A spokesman for the Division’s […]
National Grid commits $500,000 to assist Massachusetts, New York and Rhode Island families impacted by COVID-19
The following was written by National Grid. National Grid is directing $500,000 to support customers affected by the health impacts, financial hardships and disruption caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. The funding will provide immediate relief to families and individuals in need and bolster efforts by local organizations to assist communities across Massachusetts, New York and […]
Newport Public Schools: Chromebooks available to all grade 3-8 students that need them, will be issued on Thursday and Friday
The following press release was received from Marcin Rembisz, Communications Coordinator/Secretary for Newport Public Schools, this evening. PRESS RELEASE For Tuesday, March 17 and Wednesday, March 18th Dear Newport Public School Families, On Thursday and Friday of this week, Chromebooks will be issued to all grade 2-8 students that do not have access to a device to […]
Governor, DOH announce that several local and national organizations are offering free services to Rhode Islanders
via RIDOH Governor Gina M. Raimondo and Director of Health Nicole Alexander-Scott, MD, MPH today announced that several local and national organizations are offering free services to Rhode Islanders during the coronavirus public health crisis. The Rhode Island Foundation and United Way of Rhode Island have launched a fund to support local nonprofit organizations on the front line of […]
City of Newport announces financial relief programs, resident parking delayed, utility shut-offs suspended
The following was written by Tom Shevlin, Communications Officer for the City of Newport. The City of Newport on Tuesday announced a new series of financial relief measures aimed at easing the potential economic impact of the COVID-19 coronavirus. Effective immediately, the City will abate all penalties and interest on Fourth Quarter taxes due on […]
WATCH LIVE: Governor, DOH provide COVID-19 update
Governor Gina M. Raimondo and Director of Health Nicole Alexander-Scott, MD, MPH will provide updates to reporters about Rhode Island’s coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) response today, Tuesday, March 17th, at 1 p.m. in Conference Room 2A at the Department of Administration. Quick updates coming out of press conference (being updated); Governor announces two new cases […]
COVID-19: Local and national resources
COVID-19 Live Blogs LIVE BLOG – COVID-19: The latest local updatesLIVE BLOG: Government, school, and business cancellations and closuresList of Newport County restaurants that are closing amid COVID-19 concernsNewport County restaurants offering take-out & delivery (Updating) How What’s Up Newp Can Help Coronavirus: What What’s Up Newp is doing to serve our readersEditor’s Note: A […]
DMV limits service to Cranston office through March 31
via Department of Revenue DMV satellite offices in Middletown, Wakefield, Warren, Westerly and Woonsocket are closed through at least Friday, March 20. All licensing road tests are cancelled for this week. The Cranston DMV has halted services for personal driver licenses, state IDs, and registration services through Friday, March 20. The DMV has extended driver […]
WalletHub Study: Rhode Island is the most aggressive state versus Coronavirus
With states taking actions such as closing bars and restaurants or banning large gatherings to fight the spread of the coronavirus, the personal-finance website WalletHub today released its report on the Most Aggressive States Against the Coronavirus. To identify which states are taking the largest actions to combat coronavirus, WalletHub compared the 50 states and the […]
The Rhode Island Turnpike and Bridge Foundation will not be hosting the 4 Bridges Ride again
After seven years, the annual 4 Bridges Ride has come to an end. The 4 Bridge Ride, which is sponsored by the Rhode Island Turnpike and Bridge Authority, posted the following on their Facebook Page on Monday; Event Update: The Rhode Island Turnpike and Bridge Foundation will not be hosting the 4 Bridges Ride. The […]
City Of Newport offices to remain open with limited services
The following was written and submitted by Tom Shevlin, Communications Officer for the City of Newport. Seeking to limit the potential spread of COVID-19, the City of Newport announced on Monday that City Hall and offices will remain fully staffed, however with limited in-person services in place for the remainder of the month. Once again, […]
Social distancing comes with social side effects – here’s how to stay connected
Jonathan Kanter, University of Washington and Adam Kuczynski, University of Washington To fight the spread of coronavirus, government officials have asked Americans to swallow a hard pill: Stay away from each other. In times of societal stress, such a demand runs counter to what evolution has hard-wired people to do: Seek out and support each […]
Town of Portsmouth declares State Of Emergency
The Town of Portsmouth declared a state of emergency on Monday, joining Newport and other communities across Rhode Island. Here’s is the executive order, which was signed by Town Council President Kevin Aguiar;
DEM urges Rhode Islanders to dispose of disinfectant wipes in the trash to avoid sewer backups
The Department of Environmental Management (DEM) is urging all Rhode Islanders to refrain from flushing disinfectant wipes – including those labeled “flushable” – and instead, to dispose of them in the trash. This morning, the Burrillville Sewer Commission alerted DEM that equipment at the Burrillville Wastewater Treatment Facility and its pump stations have been getting […]
RIDOH: Restaurants and bars to offer delivery and take-out only, Gatherings limited to 25 people
Full Press Release From RIDOH Restaurants and Bars to Offer Delivery and Take-Out Only, Gatherings Limited to 25 People One additional case of COVID-19 in Rhode Island Governor Gina M. Raimondo and Director of Health Nicole Alexander-Scott, MD, MPH today announced that, effective tomorrow and continuing through March 30th, there will be no on-premise food […]
Coronavirus: What What’s Up Newp is doing to serve our readers
Dear Friend, The coronavirus presents an unprecedented challenge for the people of our state. Lives have been disrupted in ways unimaginable just days ago. Together with our neighbors, we’re grappling with illness, loss of income, loss of freedoms and mounting uncertainty about the days and weeks ahead. Our primary job at What’s Up Newp is to […]
Editor’s Note: A message for our fellow local business owners
Dear fellow local business owner: I know from personal discussions that many local business owners are very concerned with what the impact of COVID-19 will have on their business and livelihood. Even if nobody in our community – and we certainly hope this is the case – ever contracts this coronavirus, the effort underway to contain the […]
Dine-in food and beverage service at all restaurants, bars, and cafes shut down from March 17 – 30; drive-thru, take-out can remain open
Governor Gina M. Raimondo and Director of Health Nicole Alexander-Scott, MD, MPH provided updates to reporters about Rhode Island’s coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) response today. Among the announcement made during the 40+ minute press conference, was the order that effective tomorrow (March 17th) thru March 30th, all dine-in food/beverage services at all restaurants, bars, cafes […]
VIDEO: Governor Raimondo provides update on Rhode Island’s response to COVID-19 (March 16th)
Governor Gina M. Raimondo and Director of Health Nicole Alexander-Scott, MD, MPH provided updates to reporters about Rhode Island’s coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) response today at 10 am in Conference Room 2A at the Department of Administration. So far the Governor has announced; Effective tomorrow (March 17th) thru March 30th, all dine-in food/beverage services at […]
Newport Daffodil Days Festival canceled
Although 1,200,000 daffodils are starting to pop up all over town, the 7th Annual Newport Daffodil Days Festival, originally scheduled for April 24-May 3, has been cancelled due to the Covid-19 outbreak. “We’d like to thank all our sponsors and volunteers who were preparing for and anticipating the Festival. Just like the daffodils, we’ll be back […]
Newport Public Schools update (March 15)
Newport Public Schools posted the following update on Facebook on Sunday evening. One of the most important things to note is, “Beginning Monday, March 16th, Grab and Go meals for lunch and breakfast will be available and will run Monday-Friday from 12-1 at Pell Elementary School and 12:30-1:30 at the Martin Luther King Center throughout […]
RIDOH: Child Care Centers directed to be closed, State working with communities to provide student meals during school break
via RIDOH Governor Gina M. Raimondo today announced new guidance directing all child care centers in Rhode Island to close, effective tomorrow. She also announced that the Rhode Island Department of Education (RIDE) has been working with local school districts to make “grab and go” meals available to students who need them while schools are […]
