BREAKING: "Concerts, Parades Cannot Happen in RI This Summer," Says Raimondo
GoLocalProv News Team
BREAKING: "Concerts, Parades Cannot Happen in RI This Summer," Says Raimondo
At the daily briefing at the Rhode Island State House, Raimondo also outlined how she plans to spend the state's $1.25 billion from the federal government -- and that she is working with the federal delegation for an "additional" stimulus to deal with the state's growing budget deficit.
GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLAST"If you’re planning a very large summer gathering — a 4th of July parade, large musical festival, huge cultural event with hundreds and hundreds of people — you won’t be able to have those events in Rhode Island this summer in person," said Raimondo.
"My stomach is in a knot when I think of Aquidneck Island…Bristol…Newport Folk Festival -- all of these events that make our state great and buoy our economy," said Raimondo.
"I’m asking you now to make alternative plans. I know this is going to be really challenging," she added. "If you are planning a wedding greater than 50 people — it’s not likely you’re going to be able to have that in Rhode Island this summer. There’s an outside possibility when we get to August, we might lift restrictions from 50 to 100 — but I want to let you know this now."
"Later this week I'll be making this guidance more official. For the concerts and festivals who were wondering, with contracts due — concerts cannot happen. Parades cannot happen," said Raimondo. "It’s just not safe, especially if we want to get our kids back to school in the fall."
How Rhode Island WIll Spend Federal Money
Raimondo also spoke to how the state will be spending the $1.25 billion it has been wired from the federal government as part of the "COVID Relief Fund."
"A certain amount will be for nursing homes," said Raimondo, adding that she plans to give temporary supplemental pay for lowest paid healthcare workers.
Also getting money? Hospitals.
"They did what we asked them to do — we asked them to stop doing non-critical procedures," said Raimondo, "I plan to use some of the COVID Relief Fund for hospitals"
Raimondo noted she plans to disburse funds to DCYF group homes, developmentally disabled group homes, public safety, and cities and towns.
"The Treasury put out guidelines — for secondary effects, [which] are to help the economy," said Raimondo, of additional guidance. "Right now we have tens of thousands out of work, businesses closed directly because of the COVID crisis. I intend to allocate a certain amount for job training, people get back to work, businesses — we know there have been massive secondary effects."
Raimondo noted that how the state spends the money will be available in the coming weeks on a state web portal -- and that she is working on obtaining more money.
"I am working for an additional stimulus to help our state balance our budget deficit — none of this money’s allowed to make up for lost revenue," she said of the COVID Relief Fund.