Raimondo on When RI Beaches Will Reopen, Stimulus Checks and Debt Collectors, and Child Care

Friday, May 01, 2020

GoLocalProv News Team

 

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RI Governor Gina Raimondo made the announcements Friday at the RI State House. Photo: Raimondo FB File

Rhode Island Governor Gina Raimondo told Rhode Islanders on Friday that debt collectors cannot take stimulus check funds from recipients -- and she addressed when the state's beaches might reopen. 

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Raimondo made the announcements at the daily briefing at the Rhode Island State House. 

While Raimondo gave a definitive date for the reopening of parks as part of "Phase One," she could only say that the reopening of beaches would come during "Phase Two" -- without a set date at this time. 

"On May 9, we’ll be opening some parks — Lincoln Woods, Haynes Park, Beavertail, Fort Adams," said Raimondo of the partial list, noting that a "full list" would be on the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management website by the end of the day. 

Raimondo said that the park openings will come with "reduced parking capacity to promote social distancing and increased enforcement."

"You can take a walk, go for a run, with that small group you’re with these days. You’re not going to be able to do things like have a cookout, or organized sports, and you should limit your time," she said of park activities. 

READ: 13 New Coronavirus Fatalities, 341 New Cases — Watch 1 PM Friday RI Briefing HERE

"In Phase One, we are not going to reopen the beaches just yet," said Raimondo, noting that in "Phase Two" — around Memorial Day -- there will be "new restrictions" around parking, pavilions, and bathrooms at state beaches.  

"I’m not prepared today to give an announcement on that," she said. "Assuming we stay on a good path...I hope that provides you with a glimmer of hope. We’re going to get there."

Stimulus Checks and Debt Collectors 

"We’ve been hearing from worried Rhode Islanders who have debt collection agencies on top of them and they’re worried they’ll seize their stimulus check. If this is you and you’re worried — take a deep breath right now," said Raimondo. "[Rhode Island Attorney General] Peter Neronha is prepared to enforce against collectors, and make sure the debt collectors can’t access your stimulus checks."

"The purpose of stimulus checks is to help you pay your bills. Try and use your stimulus check to pay your bills. For that money to stimulate the economy you need to pay the bills," she added.

Childcare and Hospitals 

"I do want to try to stand up childcare again," said Raimondo on Friday, of allowing childcare providers to reopen. 

"The Rhode Island Department of Human Services has asked childcare providers to submit their plans for reopening by May 22 with a targeted reopening date of June 1," said Raimondo.

Raimondo said that in the near future, childcare would be "reduced group sizes of 10 and fewer, stable groups — the same groups of kids every day — and new drop off and pick up protocol, and CDC cleaning guidelines."

Raimondo also addressed hospitals' in the state having submitted plans to expand healthcare capacity back to elective and non-critical procedures. 

" I want to thank the hospitals. Every one of you got your plans in and they’re excellent," said Raimondo.  "Certain hospitals are going to be back in the business of elective surgeries and non-critical procedures."

"These plans are incredibly detailed taking into account infection control more testing — none of us is going to allow you to go back to hospitals if it is not safe," said Raimondo. 

 

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