One Hundred-and-Nineteenth Supplemental Emergency Declaration - Amendments to Executive Order 21-11

WHEREAS, on March 9, 2020, I declared a state of emergency due to the dangers to health and life posed by COVID-19 and such declaration has been extended until at least February 17, 2021;

WHEREAS, it is critical that Rhode Island's economic, cultural and civic life be re-opened to the greatest extent possible consistent with public health guidance and that the public's health shall always be of paramount concern in connection with such re-opening;

WHEREAS, on February 5, 2021, I issued Executive Order 21-11 updating the Protecting Your Household order; and

WHEREAS, in consultation with the Director of Rhode Island Department of Health (RIDOH), I sought further modified mitigation measures to continue maintaining public health and safety with appropriate, less restrictive means.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, GINA M. RAIMONDO, by virtue of the authority vested in me as Governor of the State of Rhode Island, 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 the following amendments to Executive Order 21-11 ("Order"}:

1. The heading immediately preceding paragraph 8 of the Order shall be replaced with
   
   
   
   "Updated Limitations on Indoor and Outdoor Social Gatherings".
   
    
2. The first sentence in paragraph 8 of the Order under the new heading of
   
   
   
   "Updated Limitations on Indoor and Outdoor Social Gatherings", as amended pursuant to section 1 above, shall be replaced with the following provision: "Effective immediately, attendance at all indoor public and private social gatherings, parties and celebrations shall be limited to members of two households, in accordance with RIDOH guidance."
   
    
3. The first sentence in paragraph 9 of the Order under the new heading of
   
   
   
   "Updated Limitations on Indoor and Outdoor Social Gatherings", as amended pursuant to section 1 above, shall be replaced with the following provision: "Effective immediately, attendance at all outdoor public and private social gatherings, including holiday gatherings, parties and celebrations shall be limited to members of three households, in accordance with RIDOH guidance."
   
    
4. Paragraph 10 of the Order under the heading of "Limits on Indoor and Outdoor Venues of Assembly" shall be replaced in its entirety with the following provision:
   
   
   
   "Subject to strict adherence to social distancing, masking, screening, and sanitation protocols, indoor and outdoor venues of assembly, including convention centers, concert halls, performance venues, and theaters may operate at up to 40% of capacity, subject to Phase III guidelines, to a cap of 125 people."
   
    
5. Paragraph 11 of the Order under the heading of "Limits on Indoor and Outdoor Venues of Assembly" shall be replaced in its entirety with the following provision:
   
   
   
   "Religious and faith-based organizations may conduct indoor in-person activities up to 40% percent of worship space capacity, subject to a cap of 125 people and to the Phase III guidelines for religious and faith-based organizations which are available at https://ReopeningRI.com. Live streaming or broadcasting of religious services or attendance through outdoor drive-in services are permitted and strongly recommended, particularly for vulnerable populations, including those over 65 years of age. Outdoor religious services may operate at 40% of capacity to a cap of 125 people, with physical distancing and masking in effect."
   
    
6. The first sentence in paragraph 13 of the Order under the heading of "Limits on Indoor and Outdoor Venues of Assembly" shall be replaced with the following provision:
   
   
   
   "Houses of worship where the facility's space can accommodate significantly more than 125 persons within the facility's 40% capacity limit may submit a detailed COVID-19 control plan to DBR to exceed the 125-person cap."
   
    
7. Paragraph 25 of the Order under the heading of "Continued and Modified Relief for Restaurants and Bars - Indoor and Outdoor Dining" shall be replaced in its entirety with the following provision:
   
   
   
   "The provisions of Chapter 3-7 of the General Laws permitting the service of alcoholic beverages by a licensee for on-premises consumption are hereby suspended. A licensee may open its bar area, including but not limited to the bar counter and seating at the bar counter. All such bar areas must follow the requirements described in the Phase III Guidelines for Restaurants available at https://ReopeningRl.com and the regulations set forth by RIDOH. At bar areas, establishments may seat up to two households per party, up to a maximum of four people in the party, and separate parties must be seated at least six feet apart unless a plexiglass or similar partition is installed, in which case separate parties must be seated at least three feet apart. Parties at bar areas may not be seated for more than 90 minutes. From 11:00 p.m. until closing, a licensee must close its bar area, including but not limited to the bar counter and seating at the bar counter, and ensure that the bar area is not accessible to patrons."
   
    
8. All other provisions of the Order shall remain unchanged and continue to be applicable.

This Executive Order shall take effect immediately and shall remain in full force and effect through March 6, 2021 unless renewed, modified, or terminated by a subsequent Executive Order.

So Ordered,

Gina M. Raimondo

Governor