VIDEO: Raimondo Announces More Details on Reopening RI Retail, Restaurants

VIDEO: Raimondo Announces More Details on Reopening RI Retail, Restaurants

Rhode Island Governor Gina Raimondo offered more details on Monday into how she sees the reopening of retail and restaurants in the state.

"It is my hope and intention to lift the stay-at-home order when it expires on May 8," said Raimondo. "It is sooner than our neighbors, but I wouldn’t do it if I didn’t think we were ready."

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On Monday, the state announced 21 new fatalities for a total now of 341 COVID-19 related deaths.

The past three days have been the deadliest so far in Rhode Island during the coronavirus crisis, with 62 COVID-19 deaths announced by the state in 72 hours. 

"It is not going to look radically different than it does now. If we see crowds or bunching we’re doing something wrong," said Raimondo of phase one, urging Rhode Islanders to approach the reopening keeping in mind being 'slow and steady' — with 'patience and flexibility.'

Rhode Island most recently received a grade of "D-" for social distancing by a national survey. 

"Keep your network small, we want to stay close to home, but the good news is we get to start leaving our homes," said Raimondo. "I’m focused on getting people back to work, as safely as possible as quickly as possible."

Retail and Restaurants in Focus

"Restaurants are not really going to reopen in phase one," Raimondo said. "Reopening a restaurant is complicated. Restaurants like retail have been crushed across the country. Restaurants are going to have to do a lot of thinking now to reopen down the road."

Raimondo said that in phase one, the inside of the restaurant is "entirely closed except people coming in for pick up orders." "In phase one we are not intending to have in-store dining, We are hoping to accelerate takeout options," said Raimondo. 

"For those that have the capacity for outside seating — we are hoping to incorporate that into phase one. Not Monday," she said. "Seating will be by reservation only. Menu, condiments, and silverware have to be individually wrapped, staff will have to be wearing masks."

"I know not every restaurant today can do outdoor seating. I would encourage you now to get creative. Maybe you could convert part of your parking lot into outdoor dining that meets these requirements. We’re going to continue to work with you," she said. 

"Assuming things go well — phase one is probably 14 days — and then we move to phase 2," she added. 

"Retailers have really, really suffered," said Raimondo at the briefing. "Non-critical retails stores will be allowed to reopen in-person operations but with capacity restrictions. We’re going to still encourage pre-ordering and in-store picking up. In-store browsing - the number will depend on the size of the store."

"You [will] have to wait outside if there are too many people inside," said Raimondo, who said that the state will allow for in-person browsing for every 300 square feet of space — which is the model "being used in grocery stores for the hours that accommodate seniors."

"We want to make payment quicker and cut down on personal contact," said Raimondo. "Come a week from today, if you’re a retail operation that can comply with these new rules, go ahead and open your doors and let’s get your sales going again"