Raimondo Announces Pared Back Phase III Reopening & 14-Day Quarantine for Much of U.S. Coming to RI

Monday, June 29, 2020

GoLocalProv News Team

 

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RI Governor Gina Raimondo said Monday she is "worried" about the 4th of July - and after saying outdoor gatherings could be unlimited, she has now changed that.

Rhode Island Governor Gina Raimondo announced on Monday that she is moving the state into Phase III of reopening on Tuesday -- but with new restrictions on crowd gathering sizes. 

"A week ago we said you could have an outdoor event of unlimited size. Smaller is better," said Raimondo on now introducing limits on group sizes in Phase III, saying she is "worried" about the 4th of July.

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"I talked with Governor Abbott of Texas. They are not in a good place right now," said Raimondo. "They went from 4% test positive to 14% test positive, which he said happened with big gatherings on Memorial Day. Let’s not let that be our story."

Raimondo also announced new domestic travel restrictions and quarantine rules for those coming from states with a positive rate above 5% -- which is now at 23. 

New Crowd Size Limits

Raimondo announced a "few changes to limit large group gatherings."

"We really want to enable commerce so people can get jobs back," said Raimondo. "We have to keep a lid on large group and social gatherings. We have to get people back to work"

"In Phase III, [groups can be] no larger than 25 indoor and 50 people outdoors," said Raimondo. "Barbeques, a birthday party, any kind of social gathering or family event where you all know each other and are likely to mingle, unlike a restaurant where you’re unlikely to mingle."

"Weddings with the licensed caterers, [the limit] is up to 50 indoors and 100 people outdoors," said Raimondo. "If you already planned your wedding and your number was above that we want you to call us at 889-5550."

"Events open to the public -- concerts, musical festivals — you can have 125 indoors and 250 outdoors, assuming you follow the rules," said Raimondo. "If you have an event of more than 100 people, we want you to submit a plan."

Domestic Travel

"I want people to come here — but it’s a balance," said Raimondo. "We’ll have a mandatory 14 day quarantine for anyone coming to Rhode Island from a state with a 5% or greater positivity rate."

"You will not have to quarantine if you have a negative quarantine test in your home state within the last 72 hours," said Raimondo. "This will apply to 23 states. This will change — the list will be published today on DOH website and will be updated weekly."

"There will be signage and announcements on highways, at the airport, train stations," said Raimondo. "All visitors [at hotels] will have to complete a self-attestation form that they’ll quarantine or they have tested positive."

"If you're a Rhode Islander and you go to one of these states [and come back] -- if you test negative you don’t have to quarantine," she said. 

Bars -- and Young People

"Bars have proven to be a hot spot. Here in Rhode Island bars are not operating in the way they used to operate," said Raimondo. "Bars that are able to provide seated service to groups at stable table can continue to allow to be open."

"We are not allowing people to mingle in close quarters and be able to be served at bars," said Raimondo. "If I relaxed that we’d be certain to be where every other state is right now."

Raimondo had a message targeted to 20-something Rhode Islanders, in light of the state seeing more cases in that age group. 

"You guys aren’t following the rules. We need you to get better," said Raimondo. 

"A special message to [those in your] 20s — we need you to do better," she said, of social distancing and mask-wearing requirements. 

 

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