Raimondo: RI Will Close Non-Compliant Restaurants; Responds to Pressure From McKee on Small Biz

Raimondo: RI Will Close Non-Compliant Restaurants; Responds to Pressure From McKee on Small Biz

Rhode Island Governor Gina Raimondo on Wednesday said that the state is going to "start cracking down" on bars and restaurants that are noncompliant with coronavirus restrictions -- specifically regarding overcrowding and lack of mask-wearing.

Raimondo said that non-compliant businesses will now be facing fines -- and closure.  Raimondo also addressed Lt. Governor Dan McKee's call for small business support, which GoLocal first reported in May. 

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"We’re really going to start cracking down on bars," said Raimondo. "I said our goal was not to be heavy-handed, and I admire every one of you for how creative you are."

"But if we don’t enforce the rules, the virus is going to spread and we’ll have to close the restaurants again. All across the country that’s what you see happening," she said. 

"Going forward, our enforcement will look different," said Raimondo. "If we see egregious disregard for the rules. If we walk into a restaurant, the place is packed, no effort, people lined up crowded at bar, you will be immediately issued a compliance order or fined on the spot."

"The second time you might get a fine -- or be shut down -- until you demonstrate you’ve made appropriate changes," said Raimondo. "By end of day, we’ll have updated regs on dbr.ri.gov."

"For honest mistakes...you're going to get a warning. The second time, you’ll get a compliance warning or fine," said Raimondo. 

"We don’t want to shut you down. We want you to be open and make money. If you’re trying, we’re going to work with you," she said. "There are those of you out there you know who you are — you aren’t even trying. Your own employees are whispering to customers don’t worry about the masks. It’s not fair. We’re going to crack down on you. There are a small handful of folks willfully ignoring the rules."

Raimondo said people who see noncompliance can also file a complaint at dbr.ri.gov.

Small Business Assistance in Focus

After continued pressure from Rhode Island Lt. Governor Dan McKee and small business leaders to allocate at least 10 percent of its $1.25 billion federal COVID-19 relief funds to issue grants to small businesses impacted by the pandemic, Raimondo addressed the issue. 

"I am increasingly confident that Congress is going to do the right thing at the end of the month and send an addition stimulus — next Wednesday I’ll be rolling out how we’ll be using one and quarter billion [CARES Act] funding," said Raimondo. 

The Raimondo administration however has already detailed how over $43 million has been spent so far. 

"We’re putting the final touches on our proposal," said Raimondo of her plans to announce help to small businesses. 

"It's most likely going to look like small grants to various small businesses who qualify, something for say restaurants to buy supplies...dollars in the hands of businesses," said Raimondo, who said the money should go out "pretty quickly — right away."

"I want them to survive. The last thing I want is for them to go under. I hear it," said Raimondo. "It’s at a point where it’s going to happen. It will be grants — not loans."