Government responses to and political effects of the coronavirus pandemic, 2020 (Rhode Island)

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Responses by state

Ballotpedia’s coverage of COVID-19 includes how federal, state, and local governments are responding, and how those responses are influencing election rules and operations, political campaigns, the economy, schools, and more.

This article contains coverage of eight kinds of state government responses to the coronavirus pandemic in 2020. The article tracks developments in these areas that took place between the start of the pandemic in March 2020 through Dec. 4, 2020. The government responses covered here include:

Additionally, the article includes:

To view current coverage areas, including mask requirements, school responses, travel restrictions, and much more, click a state in the map below.

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Changes to election dates and procedures, March 16 through November 19

See also: Changes to election dates, procedures, and administration in response to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, 2020

General election changes

Rhode Island modified its absentee/mail-in voting procedures for the November 3, 2020, general election as follows:

  • Absentee/mail-in voting: Mail-in ballot applications were sent to all registered voters in the general election. Witness or notary requirements were suspended for mail-in ballots.

For a full timeline about election modifications made in response to the COVID-19 outbreak, click here.

Primary election changes

Rhode Island modified its primary election process as follows:

  • Election postponements: The presidential preference primary was postponed from April 28 to June 2.
  • Candidate filing procedures: The petition signature requirements for U.S. Senate and congressional candidates was reduced by half.
  • Voting procedures: Mail-in ballot applications automatically sent to all voters in the presidential preference primary. Witness or notary requirements for mail-in ballots were suspended in the primary election.

For a full timeline about election modifications made in response to the COVID-19 outbreak, click here.

Click the gray bar below for more detailed information.


Statewide stay-at-home order, March 23 through December 4

See also: States with lockdown and stay-at-home orders in response to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, 2020

On March 28, Gov. Gina Raimondo (D) issued Executive Order 20-13, which directed individuals in Rhode Island to stay home except for essential activities and closed nonessential businesses in the state.[13] The stay-at-home order took effect immediately and lasted until April 13. On April 7, Raimondo extended the stay-at-home order through May 8.[14]

Executive Order 20-13 specifies all services that are considered essential. The order is embedded below.

Executive orders, March 30 through June 29

See also: Executive orders issued by governors and state agencies in response to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, 2020


Court closures, March 17 through November 4

See also: State court closures in response to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, 2020
  • June 10, 2020: The Rhode Island Supreme Court extended restrictions on in-person proceedings and the suspension of jury trials through September 7.[15]
  • May 15, 2020: The Rhode Island Supreme Court extended restrictions on in-person proceedings through June 1. Jury trials were suspended through August 1.[16]
  • May 11, 2020: The Rhode Island Supreme Court announced that the court would hear cases remotely via video conference for the first time in the court’s 273 year history.[17]
  • April 8, 2020: The state judiciary closed courts to non-emergency matters through May 17.[18]
  • March 13, 2020: The state judiciary announced that sessions in all courts would be canceled the week of March 16.[19]

Legislative session changes, March 20 through October 1

See also: Changes to state legislative session dates in response to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, 2020

The Rhode Island State Legislature suspended its session, effective March 16, 2020, through June 17, 2020. The suspension had originally been scheduled to last through April 3, 2020.[20][21][22][23][24]

Proposed and enacted legislation, March 25 through August 19

See also: State laws in response to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, 2020

See below for a complete list of bills related to the coronavirus pandemic in Rhode Island. To learn more about a particular bill, click its title. This information is provided by BillTrack50 and LegiScan.

Rent, mortgage, eviction, and foreclosure policies, April 9 through November 24

See also: Changes to rent, mortgage, eviction, and foreclosure policies in response to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, 2020


  • May 15, 2020: The Rhode Island Supreme Court issued an order that allowed evictions proceedings to resume on or after June 1.[25]
  • April 8, 2020: The Rhode Island state judiciary issued an order closing all courts to non-emergency matters through May 17. Eviction proceedings were included in the order, and the court precluded new filings or hearings from being heard before the court until May 17.[26]
  • March 19, 2020: Gov. Gina M. Raimondo (D) issued an executive order which suspended evictions and foreclosures for 30 days.[27]


Prison inmate release responses, March 30 through July 1

See also: State and local governments that released prison inmates in response to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, 2020
  • April 3, 2020: The Rhode Island Supreme Court ordered an expedited hearing for 52 inmates in an effort to reduce the state prison population.[28]
  • March 25, 2020: The Rhode Island Department of Corrections submitted lists of people being held on low bail amounts to the public defender's and attorney general's offices weekly for evaluation, as well as assessing people with less than four years left on their sentences to see if they could be released early to help reduce the prison population due to coronavirus.[29]


Debate in Rhode Island over responses to the coronavirus

See also: Debate in Rhode Island over responses to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, 2020

Ballotpedia is covering the debate over continuing restrictions and closures in Rhode Island in response to the coronavirus pandemic. Click on the links below to read more about these debates.

Status of industries, May 15 through July 31

Between May 15 and July 31, we conducted detailed tracking of industries and activities in each state daily.

  • "Yes" means an activity was allowed or an industry was permitted to open. "No" means an activity was not allowed or an industry was not permitted to reopen.
  • Some rules were applied regionally rather than statewide. Each cell shows the loosest restriction in place at the time, or the broadest level of an activity permitted in the state, even if that activity was only permitted regionally. Where applicable, we indicated that an activity was only permitted regionally, and provided details in a cell note. For example, if gyms were permitted to open in half of a state, the spreadsheet would say "Yes (regionally)," and differences between the regions would be explained in a note.
  • A lack of detail in a note or parentheses does not necessarily mean that an activity or industry was "back to normal." We did our best to capture caveats, exceptions, and modifications to activities. We acknowledge, though, that states put forth a large number of requirements for many industries and activities.

Initial reopening plan from March and April 2020 closures

Rhode Island released an initial reopening plan from March and April 2020 closures on April 27, 2020. An analysis of this plan appeared in our Documenting America's Path to Recovery newsletter on June 18. The sections below include an analysis of the plan, the details of the plan, and reactions from officials to the plan.

Summary from Documenting America's Path to Recovery

See also: Documenting America's Path to Recovery: June 18, 2020

On April 27, Rhode Island Gov. Gina Raimondo (D) released an outline of a three-phase reopening plan. Rhode Island entered Phase I on May 9 and Phase II on June 1. Raimondo plans to discuss details of Phase III in a press briefing on June 19.

Raimondo said the state's reopening would begin when all of the following questions could be answered with "yes":

  • Has the rate of spread continued to decrease?
  • Do we have the capacity to quickly identify community spread on an ongoing basis before a major outbreak occurs?
  • Do we have the necessary supports in place for vulnerable populations and for anyone in quarantine?
  • Does our healthcare system have the capacity and the PPE to handle future surges?
  • Do businesses, schools, childcare sites, faith organizations, and recreational spaces have plans for long-term social distancing?
  • Are we prepared to reimpose measures, or reclose certain sectors of the economy, if it becomes necessary?

On May 22, Raimondo announced the state would enter Phase II on June 1. She said, "It’s going to be a big phase. There’s going to be a lot of changes and it’s a big reopening relative to what we’ve done. Which means, the thought in your head should be, 'Oh, man, I’d better follow the rules so we can get through it safely.'"

The state has released sector-specific requirements and recommendations for reopening businesses.

Context

  • On March 28, Raimondo signed a stay-at-home order closing noncritical businesses and directing residents to stay home except for necessary activities. The order also limited gathering size to no more than five people, directed individuals to socially distance when outside the home, and avoid touching frequently touched surfaces. It also requires out-of-state travelers to self-quarantine for 14 days unless traveling to Rhode Island for work. Raimondo extended the order, initially set to expire April 13, and it expired on May 8. Effective May 8, Raimondo ordered residents to wear face coverings when outside the home and unable to continuously maintain 6 feet of distance from others. That order remains in effect.
  • As of June 17, Rhode Island had 16,269 positive COVID-19 cases and 885 deaths. Rhode Island's estimated population as of July 2019 was 1.1 million. For every 100,000 residents, Rhode Island had 1,535.7 cases and 83.5 deaths.
  • Rhode Island is a Democratic trifecta, with a Democratic governor and Democratic majorities in both chambers of the state legislature.

Plan details

Guidance for individuals

  • Don’t go out if you are sick.
  • Continue washing hands and following other hygiene best practices.
  • Maintain six-foot spacing.
  • Wear a face covering.
  • Limit group sizes per RI Department of Health guidance

Guidance for businesses

In addition to the sector-specific guidance documents linked below, the ReopeningRI.com website contains FAQs, guideline illustrations, checklists, and more for businesses.

Criteria for moving between phases

  • A 14-day downward trend in the number of cases OR
  • A 14-day trend in stable or declining hospitalizations.
  • We also must:
    • Be capable of identifying community spread through:
      • Testing all symptomatic people within 48-72 hours and running consistent random sample testing.
      • Ensuring all communities in RI have access to testing, especially those that have been disproportionately impacted.
      • Ensuring the overwhelming majority of contact tracing and case investigation is complete in 24 hours.
  • Meet the overwhelming majority of needs for those in quarantine and isolation.
  • Have at least 30% of ICU beds open and sufficient PPE to protect healthcare workers.
  • Have developed appropriate workplace guidance and regulations to support sectors in safely reopening.
  • Be prepared to use a data-based approach to assess trends and determine if restrictions need to be reinstated.

Phase I (Began May 9)

Individual/social

  • "Religious ceremonies: Limited to 5 or fewer (with staff included in the 5-person cap). Funerals and end-of-life rituals limited to 10 or fewer attendees (with staff not included in the 10-person cap)."
  • Stay-at-home order lifted, but people still encouraged to stay close to home
  • Gatherings limited to 5 or less

Businesses/sites

The following were allowed to resume or reopen in Phase I. Click the links below for sector-specific guidelines.

  • Working from home still recommended
  • Noncritical retail with capacity limits
  • Manufacturing, construction, and service-based businesses
  • Limited childcare
  • "Healthcare: Hospitals and physician offices remain open, putting precautions in place to keep patients and staff safe. Telehealth remains encouraged. Elective procedures resume under strict safety precautions."
  • "Offices: Office-based businesses may begin to allow limited onsite visits for staff (e.g., to pick up equipment) who have been working remotely."
  • Limited state park reopening with reduced parking
  • Restaurants for outdoor dining (May 18 reopening)

COVID-19 control plan

Businesses had until May 18 to develop a written COVID-19 Control Plan detailing precautions they implemented to prevent the spread of the virus. The state released a required Control Plan template for businesses to fill out. Businesses did not need to submit their plan to the state for review, but the directive required businesses to be prepared to provide it to the Rhode Island Department of Health if requested. It also required noncritical retailers to sign and display a compliance checklist in an area visible to employees and visitors and required businesses that had not yet opened to complete the Control Plan and checklist requirements before reopening.

Phase II (Began June 1)

Individual/social

''* Social gatherings limited to 15 people

  • 14-day quarantine only for those returning to R.I. from an area still under stay-at-home restrictions
  • Houses of worship could reopen at up to 25% capacity (starting May 30)

Businesses/sites

The following could resume or reopen as part of Phase II. In addition to sector-specific guidelines linked below, the state released general business/organization guidelines.

COVID-19 control plan

Businesses reopening in Phase II are required to develop a COVID-19 control plan, as described in the Phase I section above.

Phase III (Details forthcoming)

Raimondo planned to announce Phase III details at a press briefing on June 19. The April 27 reopening plan outline said the following about Phase III:

We can look forward to schools opening with restrictions and seeing more of our families and friends. Offices, restaurants, retail and other businesses will lift some of the tightest restrictions to allow more people in at one time but will need to operate under long-term safety guidelines. Social gatherings are limited to 50 people. Older adults (65+) and those with underlying health conditions are no longer strongly encouraged to stay home. These individuals are reminded to exercise significant caution in public. Masks, vigilant hand-washing and increased cleaning must remain in place. Working from home is still encouraged where possible but more people will return to the workplace. All activities must account for strong social distancing guidelines of remaining 6-feet apart.

Raimondo's plan outline also described the following as "Beyond Phase III":

Gathering and working restrictions will further relax. Additional businesses will open, and more group activities will be allowed. Along the way, we’ll innovate as we challenge ourselves to find new and better ways of operating and living.

Reactions

  • The Narragansett Town Council was set to vote on a resolution authorizing local police to not enforce Raimondo's emergency orders. Council President Matthew Mannix withdrew the resolution May 18, saying he heard several council members were planning to vote against it. Mannix said, "Many opponents of my resolution have made emotional pleas citing health concerns, yet I have seen very little grassroots opposition to big-box stores remaining open while small businesses, that the state deems nonessential, are forced to close."
    • Raimondo said of the resolution, "That is a huge mistake. … That is not based in fact, science, good analysis, and it is so selfish to all of the people of Rhode Island who have worked so hard, for so long, putting their lives on hold, their children’s education in their home, their businesses on hold, so we can all be safe. To jump the gun a couple of weeks before we are ready ... to jump the gun in such a fulsome way, it is a huge risk. … That is a reckless thing to do and I really hope they don’t do it."
  • Providence Mayor Jorge Elorza issued an executive order effective May 9 aligning with some of the state's Phase I reopening plan but implementing stricter restrictions in some areas, such as requiring the use of face coverings outside the home without an exemption for those socially distancing and requiring parking lots at parks to remain closed. The order was set to expire on June 5, whereas Raimondo's order was set to expire on May 23.
    • Councilman Pedro Espinal supported the order, saying, "We have suffered. … It’s an extreme time in Providence, that takes extreme measures."
    • Councilman John Igliozzi opposed the order, saying, "We are consistently inconsistent."

Coronavirus resources

Click the links below to explore official resources related to the coronavirus outbreak.

State resources

Twitter feeds for government officials and agencies appear below.

Federal resources

See also

Footnotes

  1. ↑ Rhode Island Secretary of State, "Secretary Gorbea: All Active RI Voters to Receive Mail Ballot Applications for November Election," September 11, 2020
  2. ↑ Supreme Court of the United States, "Republican National Committee v. Common Cause Rhode Island: Order in Pending Case," August 13, 2020
  3. ↑ United States Court of Appeals for the First Circuit, "Common Cause Rhode Island v. Gorbea: Per Curiam Order," August 7, 2020
  4. ↑ Supreme Court of the United States, "Republican National Committee v. Common Cause Rhode Island: Emergency Application for Stay," August 10, 2020
  5. ↑ United States District Court for the District of Rhode Island, "Common Cause Rhode Island v. Gorbea: Memorandum and Order," July 30, 2020
  6. ↑ Rhode Island General Assembly, "H 7901 Substitute A," accessed September 16, 2020
  7. ↑ Ballot Access News, "Rhode Island Lowered Number of Signatures for All Congressional Petitions This Year, for 2020 Only," September 13, 2020
  8. ↑ Rhode Island Secretary of State, "All About the Rhode Island Presidential Primary: A guide for eligible voters," accessed April 30, 2020
  9. ↑ RI.gov, "Secretary Gorbea Announces New Deadlines For Rhode Island Presidential Preference Primary," March 30, 2020
  10. ↑ Note: This text is quoted verbatim from the original source. Any inconsistencies are attributable to the original source.
  11. ↑ Providence Journal, "Raimondo to order R.I. primary postponement," March 23, 2020
  12. ↑ State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations, "Executive Order 20-11," March 23, 2020
  13. ↑ Governor of Rhode Island, "Executive Order 20-13," accessed April 2, 2020
  14. ↑ 7 News Boston, "RI stay-at-home orders extended to May 8; Providence parks closed," April 7, 2020
  15. ↑ State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations, "Administrative Order 2020-07," June 10, 2020
  16. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named May18
  17. ↑ WJAR, "RI Supreme Court to hear cases remotely," May 11, 2020
  18. ↑ Newport RI.com, "Courts around the state, including in Newport, ordered to remain closed," April 8, 2020
  19. ↑ TurnTo10, "Rhode Island Judiciary says state court calendars canceled next week," March 13, 2020
  20. ↑ Providence Journal, "R.I. legislative leaders cancel sessions, hearings next week," March 13, 2020
  21. ↑ State of Rhode Island General Assembly, "Home page," accessed March 27, 2020
  22. ↑ State of Rhode Island General Assembly, "Home page," accessed April 6, 2020
  23. ↑ State of Rhode Island General Assembly, "Home page," accessed April 20, 2020
  24. ↑ State of Rhode Island General Assembly, "Home page," accessed June 1, 2020
  25. ↑ Supreme Court, "COVID-19 Pandemic Response – Continuity of Operations," May 15, 2020
  26. ↑ Newport RI.com, "Courts around the state, including in Newport, ordered to remain closed," April 8, 2020
  27. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named EvictMA
  28. ↑ [ National Center for State Courts, "Coronavirus and the Courts - April 6, 2020," April 6, 2020]
  29. ↑ Prison Policy Initiative, "Responses to the COVID-19 pandemic," March 31, 2020
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