Rhode Island Gov. Gina Raimondo (D) on Thursday announced she will allow the state’s stay-at-home order to expire Saturday, describing a series of thresholds the state has successfully met to begin a phased reopening.
“Because the data shows that these triggers have been met – because the virus is stable and we have the necessary structures in place to protect RIers on a long-term basis – we are able to lift the stay-at-home order beginning Saturday, when we’ll enter Phase 1 of our reopening,” Raimondo tweeted.
“I want RIers to have confidence that this is a safe decision, but I also want everyone to remember that moving into phases of reopening does not mean this virus will go away,” she added, saying precautions such as hand-washing, social distancing and facial coverings would remain necessary.
Raimondo also tweeted a reminder of the state’s phased reopening plan, saying that she would also allow places of worship to reopen. However, gatherings of all kinds would remain restricted to five people or fewer.
“We’ll also be allowing drive-in services so long as people remain in their cars, and we’ll be allowing funerals to have a maximum of 10 people appropriately socially distanced,” she tweeted. “All other social gatherings will remain at 5 or fewer through May 22.”
Raimondo has also joined a compact of several other northeastern governors including New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D), Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker (R), Connecticut Gov. Ned Lamont (D) and Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf (D) to determine the path forward for the region.
Similar alliances have been formed on the West Coast and in the Midwest.