Tenth Supplemental Emergency Declaration – Quarantine Restrictions on Travelers from New York State

WHEREAS, on March 9, 2020, I declared a state of emergency due to the dangers to health and life posed by COVID-19;

WHEREAS, aggressive and sustained efforts are necessary to slow the spread of the COVID-19 virus and to lessen the strain on our healthcare system;

WHEREAS, the COVID-19 virus continues to spread and threatens to overwhelm the State's ability to respond;

WHEREAS, on March 13, 2020, I issued Executive Order 20-03 imposing quarantine restrictions on persons returning to Rhode Island from outside the 50 states or the District of Columbia;

WHEREAS, on March 23, 2020, I issued Executive Order 20-10 imposing quarantine restrictions on domestic air travelers returning to Rhode Island;

WHEREAS, there are now numerous COVID-19 clusters or hotspots in states throughout the country;

WHEREAS, one such hotspot is the State of New York which has more than 37,000 confirmed cases of COVID-19, close to half of all the reported cases in the United States; and

WHEREAS, many residents of New York State also have second homes in Rhode Island where they may be heading for refuge.

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. Any person coming to Rhode Island from New York State must immediately self-quarantine for 14 days. This quarantine restriction shall not apply to public health, public safety, or healthcare workers.
2. Any person who has come to Rhode Island from New York State within the last 14 days must immediately self-quarantine for the remainder of the 14-day period since arrival in Rhode Island. This quarantine restriction shall not apply to public health, public safety, or healthcare workers.
3. Instructions for self-quarantine can be found at the Rhode Island Department of Health website: https://health.ri.gov/diseases/ncov2019/

This Order shall take effect immediately and shall remain in full force and effect until April 25, 2020 unless renewed, modified, or terminated by subsequent Executive Order.

So Ordered,

Gina M. Raimondo

Governor