One Hundred-and-Forty-Fourth Supplemental Emergency Declaration - Fifth Amendment to Executive Order 21-27

WHEREAS, on March 9, 2020, Executive Order 20-02 was issued for a declaration of a state of emergency due to the dangers to health and life posed by COVID-19 and that Order has been extended to remain in effect until at least May 13, 2021;

WHEREAS, it is critical that Rhode Island's economic, cultural and civic life be re­opened 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 March 19, 2021, Executive Order 21-27 was issued to update the Protecting Your Household order ("Initial Order");

WHEREAS, on March 26, 2021, Executive Order 21-29 was issued to amend the Order ("First Amendment");

WHEREAS, on April 1, 2021, Executive Order 21-31 was issued to further amend the Order ("Second Amendment");

WHEREAS, on April 9, 2021, Executive Order 21-34 was issued to again further amend the Order ("Third Amendment"};

WHEREAS, on April 26, 2021, Executive Order 21-39 was issued as the fourth amendment to the Order ("Fourth Amendment"; Initial Order as amended by First Amendment, Second Amendment, Third Amendment and Fourth Amendment, "Order")

WHEREAS, reduced rate of COVID-19 related deaths along with increasing rates of COVID-19 vaccination in Rhode Island and projected vaccination coverage continue to make possible additional incremental relaxation of public health and safety restrictions; 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, DANIEL J. MCKEE, 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 and direct the following:

1. The lead-in sentence of paragraph 2 in the Order under the heading of"International Travel Restrictions Remain in Plan" shall be replaced in its entirety with the following provision:"Any person arriving from a location outside the United States and U.S. territories must immediately self-quarantine for 10 days upon arrival in Rhode Island unless one of the following exemptions applies:"
2. The lead-in sentence of paragraph 3 in the Order under the heading of"International Travel Restrictions Remain in Plan" shall be replaced in its entirety with the following provision:"Any person who has traveled outside the United States and U.S. territories in the last 10 days must immediately self-quarantine for the remainder of the 10-day period upon arrival in Rhode Island unless one of the following exemptions applies:"
3. 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 May 17, 2021 unless renewed, modified, or terminated by a subsequent Executive Order. So Ordered,

Daniel J. McKee

Governor