As the state approaches "Phase 2" of its reopening, Rhode Island officials have announced new guidelines which will take effect on Monday, June 1st for several business types. Governor Gina Raimondo summarized the new regulations at her daily briefing. The updated regulations will be posted by Friday on the website: https://www.reopeningri.com/ . Here is a summary of the new restrictions, which will continue to be updated.
Restaurants:
- 50% capacity maximum
- Party sizes limited. (watch for updates)
- Reservations required
- Restaurants must collect contact info for each diner (Name and phone # only)
- Servers and patrons must wear masks, except when eating and drinking.
- No self service, i.e. buffets, salad bars.
- No standing service.
- No bars which don't serve food.
- Enhanced cleaning regimen required
Salons and Barber Shops:
- Appointments required
- Businesses must collect contact info
- No waiting in common areas.
- Staff and customers must wear masks. During services that require ear loops be removed, the customer must hold mask over nose and mouth.
- 6 feet distance require between customers.
- Enhanced cleaning regimen required
Youth Sports:
- Summer youth sports will be allowed with restrictions
- Stable groups of 15 kids or fewer (Must be same group of 15 at each practice or event.)
- Avoid contact
- No contact sports (Boxing, wrestling, etc.)
- Shared equipment must be cleaned between each individual's use
- No sharing water bottles or food
- Tournaments and leagues with multi-team competition may be allowed in Phase 3 in July.
On Thursday the governor also announced that an additional $5 million is being made available to Rhode Islanders who are behind on rent payments.
The CVS Pharmacy chain announced on Thursday that it is opening 10 more testing sites across Rhode Island. Governor Raimondo says that those sites are part of the state's plan to increase testing to 10,000 people per day by July and 15,000-20,000 by September. The CVS tests will take roughly thee days to process, and will not be rapid-results tests like those being performed at Twin River. Click here for more info on the 10 new test sites: https://newsradiori.iheart.com/content/2020-05-28-cvs-to-open-10-new-covid-19-test-sites/
COVID-19 Case Data for Thursday 5/28
- New Cases: 124 Total= 14,494
- New Fatalities: 22 Total= 677
- Total tested previous day= 1,869
graphics: RIDOH and https://www.reopeningri.com/