PROVIDENCE, R.I. — Gov. Gina Raimondo on Thursday said Rhode Island would enter a "two-week pause" beginning Nov. 30 because of the coronavirus pandemic.
During the pause, the governor is closing in-person colleges and universities; bar areas; recreational venues such as bowling alleys; indoor sport facilities; gyms; and organized sports. The Twin River casinos also will close.
"Beginning 11/30, we will enter a 2-week PAUSE. This is the key to our winter strategy. In just a 2-week period, we will see if we are able to prevent overwhelming our hospital system without the need for a total lockdown," Raimondo tweeted Thursday.
Additionally, indoor dining will be reduced to 33% capacity, with one household allowed per table. Outdoor dining, and takeout service, would remain unaffected. Houses of worship will be reduced to 25% capacity, or 125 people maximum. High schools would move to mostly remote instruction.
The following would remain open without changes: in-person prekindergarten through grade eight school; child care, manufacturing and construction, personal services such as hair salons and health care. Retailers will be able to remain open under their current restrictions (1 person per 100 square feet, or 1 person per 150 square feet in big box stores).
She also announced a few measures that would take effect immediately:
— Social gatherings: The state's social gathering limit has been reduced to a single household, whatever number of people live in that household.
— Retail: Big-box retailers will be required to develop plans to safely accommodate additional holiday shoppers.
— Testing: Although the governor urged Rhode Islanders not to travel for Thanksgiving, she said rapid testing will be offered at T.F. Green Airport on the Saturday, Sunday and Monday after Thanksgiving.
She said those who do travel will have to quarantine for 14 days.
Raimondo said that, with the news that vaccines may soon become available, she believes that the state is in the "seventh inning" of its battle with the virus. But she also said that the next six weeks would probably be the most difficult of all.
