Rhode Island officials on Monday banned large gatherings, ordered restaurants and bars to end dine-in service, and shuttered some state government operations as the total number of cases of the new coronavirus in the state has risen to 21.
For most people, the new coronavirus causes only mild or moderate symptoms, such as fever and cough. For some, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, it can cause more severe illness, including pneumonia. The vast majority of people recover from the new virus.
Here’s the latest coronavirus developments in the state:
LARGE GATHERINGS BANNED
Rhode Islanders have been ordered not to host or attend gatherings of 25 people or more.
Democratic Gov. Gina Raimondo said that’s in line with recent restrictions imposed in neighboring Massachusetts.
___
NO DINING OUT
Effective Tuesday through March 30, there will be no on-premise food consumption for restaurants, bars, coffee shops, or other food establishments in Rhode Island.
Establishments with a food license can continue to conduct pick-up, drive-through and delivery service, Raimondo said.
___
STATE OFFICES CLOSED
The Rhode Island Statehouse will be closed to visitors and certain popular government services will be curtailed effective Tuesday, Raimondo announced.
The Department of Motor Vehicles will close its satellite offices, driving tests will be suspended, and residents who have licenses expiring this month, will get a 30-day grace period, she said.
The state Department of Human Services and the Department of Labor and Training will also stop accepting in-person customers.
___
LOCAL GOVERNMENTS
Cities and towns are being encouraged to postpone local meetings for at least 30 days if there’s nothing critical on the agenda, Raimondo said.
The governor will also sign an executive order suspending the state’s Open Meetings Act.
She said local boards and commissions will be allowed to host public meetings by phone or video conference so long as the public has a chance to participate.
___
MALL SHUTTERED
The popular, downtown Providence Place Mall will be shut down, effective Tuesday, Providence Mayor Jorge Elorza announced Monday.
The Democrat also noted his administration ordered two local establishments - a strip club and a cafe- to close until further notice over the weekend for large crowds.
Gov. Raimondo encouraged the state’s other malls to take similar steps.
___
CHURCHES CLOSED
Catholic churches in Rhode Island are suspending Mass services effective Tuesday until further notice, Providence Bishop Thomas Tobin announced.
Funerals and weddings may continue, but every effort should be made to limit the size of the crowd, he said.
Churches should also remain open during the day for personal prayer, confessions and other smaller scale religious practices where possible, Tobin added.
___
SMALL BUSINESS RELIEF
The state will seek special federal funding to help small business owners weather the virus’ widening economic impacts, Raimondo said Monday.
The “economic injury disaster declaration” would allow small businesses to receive low-interest loans to cover operational costs, the governor said.
___
FEDERAL FRUSTRATION
Raimondo said Rhode Island needs faster access to its stockpile of personal protective equipment for health care workers from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
She also urged the federal authorities to pass a stimulus package to help states replenish their unemployment insurance coffers, among other things.
“I am out of patience. I don’t know how to get through to them,” Raimondo said. “This is not okay how the federal government is responding to this. We all need to raise our voices.”
President Donald Trump and administration officials have repeatedly defended criticism of their handling of the crisis, but on Monday he stuck to his optimistic tone, saying on Twitter: “” Everybody is so well unified and working so hard.
__
The Associated Press receives support for health and science coverage from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute’s Department of Science Education. The AP is solely responsible for all content.
Please read our comment policy before commenting.