Rhode Island to Begin Phase 2 Monday, June 1st

Governor Gina M. Raimondo and Nicole Alexander-Scott, MD, MPH, the Director of the Rhode Island Department of Health (RIDOH) provided an update on Rhode Island’s response to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) crisis. 

Today the Governor announced that Rhode Island will officially move into Phase 2 on Monday, June 1st. This decision was guided by the four key metrics the Governor had previously said would guide decisions about further reopening: hospital capacity, new hospitalizations, rate of spread, and doubling rate of hospitalizations (see attached). 

Businesses that are prepared to reopen Monday should: 

• Visit ReopeningRI.com and review both the Phase 2 general business guidelines and the guidance documents specific to their individual sector. 
• Complete their Covid-19 control plan. Templates are available on the ReopeningRI.com website.

The Governor also announced that in-person nursing home and assisted living visitation will continue to be suspended in Phase 2. 

COVID-19 Data Update 

RIDOH announced 122 new cases of COVID-19 today. This brings Rhode Island’s case count to 14,635. RIDOH also announced 16 additional COVID-19 associated fatalities. Rhode Island’s number of COVID-19 associated fatalities is now 693. A full data summary for Rhode Island is posted online.

Key messages for the public

• Anyone who is sick should stay home and self-isolate (unless going out for testing or healthcare).
• The people who live with that person and who have been in direct close contact with that person should self-quarantine for 14 days after the last day that that person was in isolation. Direct close contact means being within approximately 6 feet of a person for a prolonged period.
• Help is available for people living in quarantine or isolation due to COVID-19. Visit www.RIDelivers.com [ridelivers.com] for connections to groceries, home supplies, restaurants, and mutual aid groups. People can also call 2-1-1. 
• When people are in public, they should wear a cloth face covering. A cloth face covering is a material that covers the nose and mouth. It could be sewn by hand or improvised from household items such as scarves, T-shirts, or bandanas.
• Groups of more than five people should not be gathering. Always avoid close personal contact with other people in public.
• People who think they have COVID-19 should call their healthcare provider. Do not go directly to a healthcare facility without first calling a healthcare provider (unless you are experiencing a medical emergency).
• People with general, non-medical questions about COVID-19 can visit www.health.ri.gov/covid, write to RIDOH.COVID19Questions@health.ri.gov, or call 401-222-8022. This is the COVID-19 Hotline that RIDOH has available to the public.
• Everyone can help stop the spread of viruses in Rhode Island.

• Wash your hands often throughout the day. Use warm water and soap. If soap and water are not available, use hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol.
• Cough or sneeze into your elbow.
• Stay home and do not leave your house if you are sick, unless it is for emergency medical care.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth. Germs spread this way.