One Hundred-and-Forty-Fifth Supplemental Emergency Declaration - First Amendment to Executive Order 20-94

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, the use of masks and cloth face coverings is an important public health approach to slow the transmission of COVID-19;

WHEREAS, on November 5, 2020, Executive Order 20-94 was issued to continue requiring cloth face coverings in public ("Order") and the Order has been extended until May 20, 2021;

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;

WHEREAS, on April 27, 2021, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention updated its guidance on mask wearing for fully vaccinated people; and

WHEREAS, in consultation with the Director of Rhode Island Department of Health (RIDOH), I sought to update certain mitigation measure 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. A new exception shall be added as the sixth bullet to paragraph 1 of the Order after the last sentence that reads "A mask or cloth face covering shall not be required for any person when:", as follows:"• At least 14 days have elapsed since the final dose of an approved COVID-19 vaccination series or the only dose of an approved one-dose COVID-19 vaccine was administered to the person, provided the person is in an outdoor setting and maintains at least three feet from other people;"
2. 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 20, 2021 unless renewed, modified, or terminated by a subsequent Executive Order.

So Ordered,

Daniel J. McKee

Governor