On Tuesday Rhode Island Governor Gina Raimondo announced three additional deaths due to the coronavirus, bringing the state total to thirty. She also announced 147 new cases, raising the total to 1,229. The governor reminded Rhode Islanders to adhere to social distancing guidelines, wash your hands and wear a face covering in public. Raimondo said that on Monday, approximately 1,800 people were tested as the CVS testing site at Twin River Casino in Lincoln opened. The site provides rapid results in under 30 minutes, but is open only to those age 18 and over. Parents with sick children are still directed to contact their pediatrician in order to be referred to a testing site.
The governor reiterated her announcement from yesterday saying that everyone in RI is now eligible for unemployment benefits, including private contractors and those were previously ineligible, like hair dressers and other self-employed individuals. Those interested in filing for benefits should go to the RI Department of Labor and Training website: http://www.dlt.state.ri.us/fileclaim.htm
Regarding personal protective equipment, Governor Raimondo announced that hospitals are now required to provide the RI Dept. of Health with daily reports about equipment supply levels and testing numbers.
Raimondo also announced the extension of the following executive orders to May 8th:
- All social gatherings of 5+ people prohibited, including religious services
- Restaurant dine-in service prohibited
- Entertainment businesses remain closed.
- Nail salons, tattoo parlors and barber shops remain closed
- Anyone entering RI from out of state must self-quarantine for 14 days
- Open Meetings Act revisions extended (allowing technology access to public meetings)
- Health insurers must cover all tele-health
- Background checks for gun permits -deadlines extended up to 30 days
The following orders have been extended until further notice:
- State House closed indefinitely
- State Parks and beaches closed
- Visitation prohibited at nursing homes
- ACI visitation suspended indefinitely
- DMV open by appointment only
- Casinos closed indefinitely
At the conclusion of her prepared remarks the governor encouraged all Rhode Islanders to go to the website www.nextdoor.com, which allows people to ask for help from others who live in their area, or to use the site to volunteer to help a neighbor in need.
photo: WJAR NBC10 video