BREAKING: Raimondo Will Not Move RI Into Phase 4 - Lowers Social Gathering Limit From 25 to 15
GoLocalProv News Team
BREAKING: Raimondo Will Not Move RI Into Phase 4 - Lowers Social Gathering Limit From 25 to 15
Instead, Raimondo saying Rhode Islanders are "partying too much," reduced the social gathering limit size from 25 to 15 - and extended phase 3 for 30 more days.
GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLAST"Social gatherings are too large and folks aren’t wearing masks," said Raimondo.
Raimondo said the Department of Health did a "deep dive" into 4,000 cases and social contract tracing, and found in most instances, the recent spread of coronavirus in the state could be traced back to social gatherings.
"A house party of 50 people, a baby shower, a large birthday party in a backyard, a pool party, a sports banquet," said Raimondo. "People who knew each other. More than 20 people not wearing masks, mingling, no social distancing."
"Yes it’s summer, I know you want to have a good time. We all do," said Raimondo. "I have friends now with loved ones on ventilators. Your right to have a party should not infringe on their right to live."
"We have to get people back to work, and kids back to school," said Raimondo. "If you’ve been partying on boats, your backyard — 20-25 people, no mask wearing — I’m asking you to stop it. You’re the ones putting our state in jeopardy."
Not Moving Forward
"We cannot move forward to phase 4 — it’s clear we’re not ready another phase," said Raimondo, adding that she also not taking the state back a phase.
Citing the rise in the "R" value -- or rate of spread from an infected person to others -- from an "acceptable level" of 1.1 to 1.3-1.4, Raimondo said she is lowering the social gathering limit.
"I’m extending phase 3 for another 30 days though August 28," said Raimondo. "And we’re going to lower the social gathering limit from 25 to 15 and I hope you take this seriously.
"All other phase 3 guidelines remain in effect," she added.