NEW: Block Island Issues Shelter-In-Place Order & Discourages Tourists, 2nd Homeowners from Visiting
Tuesday, March 24, 2020
Block Island, Rhode Island, officially now has a shelter in place order in effect due to the coronavirus crisis.
March 18, an Emergency Ordinance went into effect on Block Island in response to the current COVID-19 outbreak. The Town of New Shoreham adopted 13 procedures for the purposes of protecting the public health, safety and general welfare of the Town.
On Tuesday night, the Council modified it to include a Shelter-in-Place order to all of Block Island.
GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLAST"Any person crossing over to Block Island must immediately self-quarantine for fourteen days upon arrival on Block Island, and thereafter must shelter-in-place," said the Block Island Tourism Council.
Discouraging Visitors
The Tourism Council said it is actively discouraging visitors and second homeowners from the island.
Anyone who is on Island currently or is making the crossing to Block Island must adhere by the Shelter-in-Place ordinance.
According to the town, Block Island has limited medical resources and a limited supply of medical equipment, medical personnel, personal protective devices and medicines to treat potential COVID-19 cases.
The Tourism Council said it is also concerned by the amount of people who have flocked to the island to ‘escape’ their primary residence, and what that means for their limited island resources.
Block Island’s lifeline transportation services remain running; however, all restaurants, bars and town offices are closed to the public, including the library. All non-essential work must stop. All Hotel, Inns, House Rentals and similar are to stop taking reservations for the time frame of the ordinance, and reservations on the books for this time frame must be cancelled.
Travel to Block Island is discouraged for any non-resident. Full-time residents are encouraged to restrict travel off island for essential purposes only such as medical care, care of a family member, and obtaining food and other provisions.
In addition, any person coming to Block Island who has traveled outside of the continental United States within the last fourteen days must immediately self-quarantine for fourteen days upon arrival on Block Island.
Photo: VIDEO: Rocky Ride From Block Island — Before Ferry Suspends Service Due to Weather October 19, 2019
Related Articles
- 7 Major Coronavirus Developments—March 21, 2020
- WATCH LIVE: Saturday 1 PM Coronavirus Update With Raimondo and RI Officials
- 50-Year-Old Woman Is Massachusetts’ Second Coronavirus Death
- WATCH LIVE: Raimondo’s Sunday Coronavirus Update at 1 PM
- Reed and Whitehouse Refuse to Call for Probe of Senators Who Allegedly Traded on Coronavirus Info
- RI Follows Federal Lead, Pushes Taxes Back to July 15 - 10 New Coronavirus Cases, Total Now 54
- WATCH LIVE: Raimondo’s Friday Coronavirus Update at 1 PM
- BREAKING: First MA Resident Dies from Coronavirus
- Coronavirus Is a Crisis—Rhode Islanders Consider the Silver Lining
- NEW: U.S. Treasury Secretary Calls Coronavirus Crisis “10 to 12 Week Scenario”
- NEW: Four More Coronavirus Deaths in MA, Total Now 9
- RI Presidential Primary Postponed to June 2 Due to Coronavirus
- Horowitz: Right-Wing Media Misinformation on Coronavirus Negatively Impacts Their Audience
- Brady Says “Immunity Boost” Plan on TB12 Website “Can Make Huge Difference” in Coronavirus Crisis
- 7 Major Coronavirus Developments—March 24, 2020
- REPORT: 2020 Olympics to be Postponed Due to Coronavirus Emergency
- WATCH LIVE: Raimondo’s Monday 1 PM Coronavirus Update at RI State House
- NEW: Raimondo Clamps Down on Thousands of Businesses - 17 New Coronavirus Cases in RI, Total Now 83
- 3 More Deaths from Coronavirus in MA, Total Jumps to 5
- NEW: Convicted Rapist Weinstein Has Coronavirus, According to Reports
- 7 Major Coronavirus Developments—March 23, 2020
