FOR COVID-19 INFORMATION AND GUIDELINES, VISIT THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH'S WEBSITE.
Joining Massachusetts in another unprecedented step meant to help curb the spread of the novel coronavirus, Gov. Gina Raimondo on Monday morning announced that dine-in service as restaurants, bars and other establishments will be prohibited for the next two weeks.
“This is a serious step because we’re confronting a serious crisis,” the governor said.
Meanwhile, as the state’s number of COVID-19 diagnoses rose to 21, Health Director Dr. Nicole Alexander-Scott announced that for the first time, officials consider community spread of the virus to be underway in Rhode Island.
“We have started to see cases where we have not been able to immediately identify the source of illness,” Alexander-Scott said. “To err on the side of caution and to help us stay two steps ahead of this, we are saying that Rhode Island has community spread.”
The latest positive COVID-19 case – the first announced since Friday – was identified as a woman in her 40s. She is said to be hospitalized in stable condition. Alexander-Scott said an investigation into that patient’s chain of infection remains ongoing.
Raimondo said that in addition to the new dining restrictions, the state is now prohibiting any event or gathering with 25 people or more.
That step – a significant escalation of previous crowd-size guidelines – comes a day after the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announced it is call on all Americans to avoid crowds or gatherings of 50 or more people for the next eight weeks. It also came as Providence Mayor Jorge Elorza, who appeared alongside the governor, announced that the Providence Place Mall will be “closed until further notice.”
“I want to be very clear about this. We are directing all Rhode Islanders to avoid nonessential crowds. Eating out is not essential. Getting your hair done is not essential … Hanging out with your friends is not essential. Going to the mall is not essential,” the governor said.
She added: “As I’ve driven around yesterday, I saw 50 or 60 boys playing football together in a field. Shut that down. I drove by the mall and there were far too many people there. Shut it down. It’s not a joke. It’s about keeping yourselves alive and helping us to make sure that our health care system isn’t overwhelmed.”
Alexander-Scott echoed the governor’s sentiment.
“It is critical right now that people not be a part of crowds or gatherings where there are 25 people or more … refrain from engaging in nonessential activities, particularly where there are crowds,” she said.
She added: “We are looking to stop the spread of illness, and that can only work with everyone participating … We are being very aggressive because this window of opportunity is only open to us once. If we work effectively now, we can decrease how long this goes on for.”
In terms of the new dining restrictions, Raimondo said she would sign an executive order and that it would be effective Tuesday, March 17, through Monday, March 30. It affects “all restaurants, bars, cafes, coffee shops in Rhode Island,” she said.
Drive-thru, take-out and delivery services will be allowed to continue, the governor said. Alexander-Scott said additional guidance for culinary businesses would be forthcoming.
Speaking to restaurant workers, owners, and managers, Raimondo said: “If you work at a restaurant, you cannot go to work if you’re sick, even if you’re a little bit sick. If you’re tired, if you have a cold, if you have the sniffles, you cannot go to work. Period. And we’re asking restaurant owners and managers to please enforce this.”
She added: “Listen, I know this is brutal. Tomorrow is St. Patrick’s Day … You are heroic in this effort. It’s going to keep Rhode Islanders safe.”
Raimondo said claims for Unemployment Insurance and Temporary Disability Insurance are “starting to skyrocket.” She said that was expected as the COVID-19 crisis continues to evolve, and that the Department of Labor and Training has expanded its online capacity to handle an influx of applications.
She added: “Check that it is a COVID-related claim [on an application], and those claims will be expedited.”
The governor additionally said she will request an “economic injury disaster declaration” for Rhode Island through the federal Small Business Administration. Doing so, she said, is designed to help make loan-interest loans available to businesses “to pay fixed operating costs through this period until we can return to some sense of normalcy.”
“I think Rhode Island is the first, or one of the first, to apply for this sort of disaster funding. We’re going to work as hard as we can to get this money on the street as fast as we can,” she said.
The governor said her administration has been in communication with supermarket chains and advised that shelves will continue to be stocked.
“There’s no need to hoard. There’ll be food,” she said.
Raimondo said residents should continue to shop for groceries, visit pharmacies and banks and go for medical appointments “as absolutely necessary.” She added, however, that people should be careful to avoid “crowds, close contact, extended contact.”
"If you show up at some place and there are a lot of people, get in your car and go home," she said.
In terms of whether school closures will extend beyond the current week, Raimondo said no decision has yet been made.
I would just ask you to hang on a day or two,” she said.
The governor said she anticipated providing additional guidelines regarding other public spaces, including the Division of Motor Vehicles, at a Monday afternoon press conference.
Raimondo said she has activated the state’s Emergency Operations Center and that the state is preparing for a range of scenarios. Possible steps include reopening Memorial Hospital, otherwise expanding hospital space and boosting the number of available health care workers.
“All of this is on the table,” she said.
The governor was also critical of the federal response to the crisis, particularly in terms of ensuring necessary medical equipment is available for local efforts.
“We need a better response from the federal government … I am out of patience at this point. I don’t know how to get through to them … We are in OK shape right now, but this is not OK how the federal government is responding to this, and we all need to raise our voices, because these physicians and nurses on the front line need to be protect,” she said.
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Jsimmy230
Always blames the Federal Government for her problem. States always want Federal Government to stay out of their business. The Presudent saved thousands by shutting down travel from specific places early, unlike Obama/Biden did with H1N1 when tens of Thousands died under their administration. President is doing what should be done. Gina should do what she needs to do, and stop blaming the Feds. Everytime when Trump does good, like unemployment, Gina takes credit for it when she had nothing to do with it. When she screws things up, which is most if the time, she blames Trump. Take responsibility for your *!&^#% ups, or go away Gina and the broken Democratically controlled State government. Whatever problems you have in RI, IS YOUR FAULT, AND ONLY YOUR FAULT.
Monday, March 16, 2020 Report this
pallyboy
REALLY Gina??? Seems funny that two of the most leftist US Governors [Newsom and Cuomo] BOTH praised President Trump and the FEDS for their response. You and your Democratic STOOGES that are ingrained in the State House ALL NEED to GO!! I am surprised your response to the "Crisis" wasn't to announce a new "CRISIS Tax" and that State AGENTS would soon be knocking on our doors to collect and we had better be Home!!! Gina...DROP DEAD!!
Monday, March 16, 2020 Report this
thepilgrim
Covid is a Psyop. It doesn’t exist. It’s only to show how easily the sheep can be manipulated
Monday, March 16, 2020 Report this
Warwickbeautiful
As usual, Johnny Pajamas has to throw his two cents in on a subject he knows absolutely nothing about. Here's some advice for you Pajamas-do something useful for the state and voluntarily return some of the millions of dollars you've fraudently scammed from the taxpayers of Providence courtesy of your bogus disability claim, which currently earns you over $100,000 per year TAX FREE.
Johnny Sweat Pants the disability thief.
Tuesday, March 17, 2020 Report this
Jsimmy230
The DOCTOR ......
Talk about someone talking about what they know nothing about.
RBILLY T - FAKE NAME COWARD WITH ALL WRONG INFO!
JEALOUS ... UNBECOMING OF YOU COWARD
TIME FOR NEW, AND ACCURATE MATERIAL!
Tuesday, March 17, 2020 Report this
Warwickbeautiful
Speaking of doctors, maybe it's time for Johnny Pajamas to go to a doctor and get tested for the corona virus. If we're lucky, he'll test positive, and with his advanced age and underlying health issues, the city of Providence will save over $100,000 per year that they're now paying him for his fake injury.
Tuesday, March 17, 2020 Report this
Jsimmy230
Fake Name COWARD with inaccurate info, and suffering from the John Simoneau derangement syndrome. Get some help FOOL!
Tuesday, March 17, 2020 Report this
patientman
God forbid one of our unsuspecting neighbors came to the comments section hoping to find solid advice. If you guys could keep to pertinent subject matter & avoid the childish back & forth that would be great.
Tuesday, March 17, 2020 Report this
Jsimmy230
I state my opinion on topic. This person using many fake names doesn't, just slanders me so I respond. Report the fake name dopes to have Beacon shut them down.
Tuesday, March 17, 2020 Report this
wwkvoter
Simple. We need to sit around in our Pajamas, communicate online, and wait for this pestilence to pass over.
Tuesday, March 17, 2020 Report this
Jsimmy230
A new fake name for same idiot no doubt
Tuesday, March 17, 2020 Report this
Warwickbeautiful
Dear Mr. Howell:
My name is Johnny Pajamas and I want to file a complaint with you. Ever since I scammed the city of Providence for a phony disability that now pays me over $100,000 tax free every year, I have taken on the hobby of harassing every state, city, and federal worker, and making racist, homophobic, and profane posts all over your comments section. The problem is other intelligent posters know I'm a fraud, and called me out on it. They also hurt my feelings mentioning my crooked snaggle tooth, my 9 months pregnant beer belly, my horrible breath, and my body odor and general lack of hygiene. What I would like you to do is block all the posters who don't agree with me and leave only my foolish comments up for everyone to read. And don't tell me about the first amendment to the constitution, free speech, etc., because in my world, it's only my twisted opinion that counts.
Thanks for your help,
Johnny Pajamas
Tuesday, March 17, 2020 Report this
Jsimmy230
The same child spewing the same old billshit lies, and hides behind a keyboard like the COWARD they are, and everyone knows.
COME SEE ME !
Tuesday, March 17, 2020 Report this
Thecaptain
Letter from Johnny Pajamas is Warwick Fire Fighter union Coward Brandon Ingegneri. What a scum bag.
Tuesday, March 17, 2020 Report this
wwkvoter
There was a mayor candidate who could not stop spamming these comments until he "went away". He also went away from politics, thankfully. I just wonder if he was typing the excessive posts also in pajamas? May be a thing?
Tuesday, March 17, 2020 Report this
Warwickbeautiful
"Poor firefighter"=horse face Stacia
Tuesday, March 17, 2020 Report this
Jsimmy230
Is that the COWARD WFD Union guy that is a boyfriend of their President? The people that hold a UNION PROMOTION AWARD CEREMONY, not a City function, but closed to the public and takes that exact same night shift off for the event using a so called UNION BUSINESS day off, according to the WFD documents supplied per APRA Request? The problem is that a day off for UNION BUSINESS, I don't believe, is supposed to be for a private union function, but used while negotiating contracts, grievances, with City, etc.. On top of that, while he gets this night off, to attend their own private function, where taxpayers aren't allowed, we the taxpayers paid him for 14 hours unethically and possibly fraudulently, or receiving money under false pretenses, and we also paid his replacement at probably 14 hours at time and a half. So the taxpayers paid for 35 hours so WFD Union President could attend a union held private function, where I don't believe he was being promoted, and other on duty firefighters were allowed to also go with their City provided vehicles. SOUNDS ILLEGAL, or at least unethical and immoral to me.
I Guess the same scamming, cheating, and gaming the system in WFD is still happening ! Real professionals....lmfao
Tuesday, March 17, 2020 Report this
Warwickbeautiful
If anyone knows about obtaining money under false pretenses, that would be Johnny Pajamas, the disgraced, dirty, on the take ex cop who has been scamming the taxpayers of the city of Providence for the past 25 years with a bogus disability pension, which at last check was earning him over $100,000 per year. Sorry Johnny Pajamas, everyone knows you were a liar, cheat, and all around dirt bag when you were on the job, and you haven't changed a bit in the 25 years you've been collecting a bogus disability check every month.
Wednesday, March 18, 2020 Report this
RISchadenfreude
Why doesn't Johnny "Flopped Cop" Simoneau and his man/child WFD fans just go down the street from his house to the seawall and have it out? I'll provide the weapons: Gym socks filled with fresh horse excrement at three paces, courtesy of the PPD stable at Roger Williams Zoo.
The rest of us will get Iggy's takeout (BYO is also acceptable) in accordance with current health guidelines and watch the fun from our vehicles.
BTW, the loser never posts in Beacon comments here or on FB again...we all win!
Thanks in advance.
Wednesday, March 18, 2020 Report this
Jsimmy230
It wouldn't take that long, even if the COWARDS would show up. LMFAO
Wednesday, March 18, 2020 Report this
wwkvoter
an end-times brawl (at oakland beach!)? spread the word. should attendees wear a cloth medical mask? and matching pajamas???? or should the brawlers wear the pajamas? or everyone? maybe the cops who come to break it up should be asked, for this one call, to arrive in pajamas as well...
Wednesday, March 18, 2020 Report this
Warwickbeautiful
***CREEPY OLD MAN ALERT***
Please be on the lookout for an escaped mental patient with a description as follows:
Cranky old man with a big beer belly and a crooked buck tooth, wearing soiled pajama bottoms. Known to troll the Oakland Beach seawall area in a silver Hyundai looking to meet young men for "fun times". If you spot this creepy old man, please call the Butler Hospital missing patients unit.
Wednesday, March 18, 2020 Report this
Jsimmy230
Is that the COWARD WFD Union guy that is a boyfriend of their President? The people that hold a UNION PROMOTION AWARD CEREMONY, not a City function, but closed to the public and takes that exact same night shift off for the event using a so called UNION BUSINESS day off, according to the WFD documents supplied per APRA Request? The problem is that a day off for UNION BUSINESS, I don't believe, is supposed to be for a private union function, but used while negotiating contracts, grievances, with City, etc.. On top of that, while he gets this night off, to attend their own private function, where taxpayers aren't allowed, we the taxpayers paid him for 14 hours unethically and possibly fraudulently, or receiving money under false pretenses, and we also paid his replacement at probably 14 hours at time and a half. So the taxpayers paid for 35 hours so WFD Union President could attend a union held private function, where I don't believe he was being promoted, and other on duty firefighters were allowed to also go with their City provided vehicles. SOUNDS ILLEGAL, or at least unethical and immoral to me.
I Guess the same scamming, cheating, and gaming the system in WFD is still happening ! Real professionals....lmfao
Wednesday, March 18, 2020 Report this
Warwickbeautiful
Can someone please inform Johnny Sweat Pants that the terms "lol", "lmao", "lmfao", etc. went out of style about the same time his Members Only jacket went out of style. You're really showing your age Mr. Sweat Pants, and you need to catch up with modern times. Maybe while you and your girlfriend Stacia are hunkered down in your basement playing kissy face, she can teach you some terms that have been used in the last 5 years or so, as opposed to your stale terms that smell similar to your old cigarette smoke breath. And speaking of cigarette smoke, you should definitely try to cut back on the cigs-they weaken your immune system and make it harder for an old coot such as yourself to fight off germs such as the corona virus.
Thursday, March 19, 2020 Report this
Jsimmy230
I don't smoke COWARD, I don't own a members only jacket, and been happily married for 38 years IDIOT.
You need to GET NEW, AND TRUE material .... COWARD
Thursday, March 19, 2020 Report this
wwkvoter
JP did not mention wearing pajamas in public, or the beer belly, in his denial, so those two characteristics may be true? Just trying to get clear on what's what...
Thursday, March 19, 2020 Report this
Warwickbeautiful
"Truth by omission ", if you want to see for yourself, simply take a ride by the Oakland Beach seawall, where Johnny Sweat Pants trolls for same sex "companionship" wearing his soiled pajamas which barely cover his 9 months pregnant beer belly.
And if you do decide to swing by the seawall to watch the Johnny Pajamas one man circus side show, please consider wearing a hazmat suit and respirator, as Mr. Pajamas is pretty weak when it comes to personal hygiene.
Friday, March 20, 2020 Report this
Jsimmy230
Hillarious COWARD.
If you want to see someone matching your description, because it ain't me, check Councilwoman from that area and her family dirtbags. You ride right by her house on way to beach at 733 Oakland Beach Ave, and the vacant lot next door at 735 Oakland Beach Ave, that she uses as their personal storage, parking, and hasn't paid taxes on since 2011. Owes City over $3,000, and never put on City tax sale list. Corruption in Warwick!
Friday, March 20, 2020 Report this
Warwickbeautiful
Does Johnny snaggle tooth drink his corona with or without a lime?
Friday, March 20, 2020 Report this
Jsimmy230
I don't drink *!&^#% .... Coward.
Just proves, again. You know nothing!
Friday, March 20, 2020 Report this
Warwickbeautiful
While Johnny Beer Belly says he doesn't drink Corona, whatever he does drink must be loaded with calories, as evidenced by his 9 months pregnant midsection.
And keep up the great work on your girlfriend Stacia's irrelevant Facebook page-she thanks both you and Captain Criminal for your love and support.
Saturday, March 21, 2020 Report this
Jsimmy230
I'm fat ... hilarious. Look in the mirror COWARD
As your hero Joe Biden would say, Buddy, I'll beat you at any physical test you want. Pushups!!!
And then he'd say .. Your a #*&%@ing liar, I'll take you outside.
Meet me anytime, ANYPLACE, and we'll see COWARD..
Time to get new material. People are tired of it and want you to state an opinion on the article here, if you can form one while having the John Simoneau derangement syndrome...lmfao
Saturday, March 21, 2020 Report this
Warwickbeautiful
It appears Johnny Pajamas was way ahead of his time, as he's been practicing social distancing for years, due to the fact he only has 2 friends in the entire world, namely Stacia and the felon gasoline dumper. And if by some stroke of luck the Corona virus does strike those 3 misfits, it would not be a great loss to society.
Sunday, March 22, 2020 Report this
Jsimmy230
COWARDS
Sunday, March 22, 2020 Report this
Warwickbeautiful
Ladies and gentlemen, there is finally some good news! Johnny Snaggle Tooth has decided to self quarantine, so it's safe for parents to let their children hang out at the Oakland Beach seawall, as the creepy old man in the silver Hyundai that usually trolls the area is staying in his basement 24/7.
Monday, March 23, 2020 Report this
Jsimmy230
BLAH, BLAH, BLAH.... COWARD. Grow a set, and stop.
Monday, March 23, 2020 Report this
Warwickbeautiful
And if anyone has a hazmat suit and respirator, please feel free to head over to the rat and mold infested shack of Johnny Sweat Pants and deliver some supplies to him and Stacia, as they're running low. Coffee, donuts, adult diapers, and family planning aids preferred. No personal hygiene items accepted.
Tuesday, March 24, 2020 Report this
Jsimmy230
Billy T (FC) ... COWARD
Come on over. I'll show you quite the opposite house than you describe. You'll be even more jealous. You are welcome anytime, COWARD. But everyone here knows that you won't show.
Tuesday, March 24, 2020 Report this
Warwickbeautiful
Sorry Johnny Bucktooth, but all of the hazmat suits and respirators are being used at the hospitals to prevent the spread of the covid-19 virus, so don't expect any visitors at your filthy rat infested Oakland Beach eyesore any time soon. If however, by some stroke of luck, you are in possession of personal protective gear, please make sure you and your girlfriend Stacia don it before you two lowlifes attempt to procreate.
Wednesday, March 25, 2020 Report this
Jsimmy230
Children and COWARDS. Get a life.
Wednesday, March 25, 2020 Report this