Seventh Supplemental Emergency Declaration – Public Gatherings, Close-Contact Businesses, Public Recreation and Business Service Providers

This Emergency Declaration supplements Executive Orders 20-02 and 20-04 issued March 9, 2020 and March 16, 2020, respectively.

WHEREAS, the number of cases of COVID-19 continues to grow;

WHEREAS, additional measures are necessary to protect the health of the people of Rhode Island and to contain the spread of COVID-19;

WHEREAS, the Federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Rhode Island Department of Health (RIDOH) recommend implementation of community mitigation strategies, including the cancellation of public events and social distancing outside the home;

WHEREAS, in consultation with the Director of RIDOH, I have ordered a number of mitigation efforts to reduce close contact among individuals, including the temporary closure of bars and restaurants, schools and daycare facilities and limiting the size of mass gatherings;

WHEREAS, the Director of RIDOH has determined it is necessary to cease in person operations of certain businesses which, by the very nature of their business, are unable to comply with CDC guidelines regarding social distancing;

WHEREAS, the Director of RIDOH has determined that is necessary to further promote working remotely whenever possible; and

WHEREAS, the Director of RIDOH has determined it is necessary to further reduce the size of mass gatherings.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, GINA M. RAIMONDO, by virtue of the authority vested in me as Governor of the State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations, pursuant to Article IX of the Rhode Island Constitution and the Rhode Island General Laws, including, but not limited to, Title 30, Chapter 15, and Title 23, Chapter 8, do hereby order and direct the following:

1. No later than 5 :00 p.m. on Monday, March 23, 2020, all public recreation and entertainment establishments shall cease in-person operations. Public recreation and entertainment establishments subject to this Order include, but are not limited to, theaters, cinemas, sporting events, bowling alleys, concert venues, museums, and zoos.
2. No later than 5:00 p.m. on Monday, March 23, 2020, all close-contact businesses (businesses which cannot maintain social distancing with their customers as outlined in paragraph 3 below) including, but not limited to, gymnasiums, fitness centers and similar exercise facilities, hair salons and barbershops, nail salons, spas and tattoo parlors shall cease in-person operations.
3. Subject to the closures and limitations provided in prior orders and in paragraph 4 below, all businesses remaining open, must, to the extent practicable, implement CDC guidance to ensure social distancing, including: • maintaining a minimum distance of 6 feet between persons; • ensuring employees practice appropriate hygiene measures, including regular, thorough handwashing; • ensuring that employees who are sick remain home; and • regularly cleaning and disinfecting frequently touched objects and surfaces.
4. All business service personnel that can work from home are required to do so. Business service personnel subject to this Order include, but are not limited to accountants, lawyers, human resources and procurement professionals. This Order applies whether such business services personnel work within a standalone business (e.g. an accounting firm or law firm) or within a larger business (e.g. an accounting, legal, human resources, or procurement division or team). To the extent an employer has business service personnel that cannot perform their normal functions via telework or work-from-home arrangements, the business should permit only critical personnel to work on the business' premises so that only the minimal number of employees necessary to ensure that critical operations can continue are present. To the extent an employer has personnel who are not involved in critical operations but who cannot perform their ordinary functions via telework or work-at-home arrangements, employers should consider providing alternative work assignments that are beneficial to the employer including but not limited to training modules or other forms of workforce development that can be completed at home.
5. All public and private enterprises remaining open shall post appropriate notices requiring compliance with recommendations by the CDC and the Director of RIDOH including, at a minimum, those set forth above in paragraph 3 of this Order.
6. All gatherings of more than ten (10) people in any public or private space such as an auditorium, stadium, arena, large conference room, meeting hall, library, theater, place of worship, parade, fair, or festival, are prohibited.
7. I hereby authorize the Director of RIDOH, to take any action and make and enforce any rules and regulations necessary to implement this Executive Order.
8. This Order shall take effect immediately and shall remain in full force and effect until March 30, 2020 unless renewed, modified or terminated by subsequent Executive Order.

So Ordered,

Gina M. Raimondo

Governor