Two steps forward, one step back. Or is it one step forward, two steps back? I guess the answer to that is up to us. Obviously pandemic exhaustion is starting to set in and everyone is sick of the virus, sick of restrictions and sick of being afraid. But most of us would agree it's better than actually being sick.

 

In the early days of the pandemic, Rhode Island was leading the way, for the most part, in doing things right and doing them in a timely fashion. Then the lazy, hazy days of summer came and went, and we started to let our guard down and now we've found ourselves in retreat.

 

As small businesses, we all have a role to play in the outcome. As noted below, The limit does not apply to offices, buses, schools, and other controlled settings with assigned seating and other public health measures in place.

 

On the whole, small businesses have been towing the line and getting back to business. We need to keep it up, be vigilant, and do everything we can to support our employees, build their morale and keep them healthy.

 

If you feel overwhelmed or a at a loss as to what to do next, our professionals at ASN have been staying up on the situation and would love to provide any guidance we can. Just give us a call.

 

RI Restrictions Tighten As COVID-19 Cases Surge

As reported by Rob Borkowski in the Warwick Post, "Last week, health officials raised alarm about RI COVID-19 cases showing the percent testing positive at 2.0, then this week it rose to 2.9 percent, bringing stricter limits on gatherings as well as renewed calls for distancing, masks and hand-washing."

 

New restrictions imposed by the RI Department of Health, as of Oct. 20, 2020:

 

Social Gathering (Party/Visits) Limit – 10:  Effective immediately, the social gathering limit is now 10.

 

The limit does not apply to offices, buses, schools, and other controlled settings with assigned seating and other public health measures in place. This is because spread is happening in casual, social settings, not in larger but more structured environments.

 

“To anyone who does have big parties, we’ll shut you down, and we’ll fine you up to $500 for every person there. It’s not worth it. For the next few weeks, let’s avoid social events and only see the people that we need to see,” Gov. Gina Raimondo said in a statement Friday.

 

Sports – No spectators, Indoor events suspended 1 week 

Effective on Monday, RI is closing all ice rinks and indoor sports facilities for one week. “This will allow us to work with the facilities and develop new guidance around masking, testing, contact tracing, and other health protocols,” Raimondo said.

 

Houses of Worship: Virtue in Virtual  

“If any faith leaders are no longer offering virtual services, we’re asking them to bring that back, and proactively encourage your congregants to use that option for the next few weeks. I want to be able to hold in-person services over the holidays, but that will be dangerous unless we make a real commitment to worshipping virtually for the next few weeks,” Raimondo said.

 

Hospitals, Nursing Home Visits: Give it two weeks

Since the increase in hospitalizations is driven by 60, 70, and 80-year olds, the RI Department of Health will be working with nursing homes and hospitals to scale back on visitation.

 

“Except for certain circumstances, we want people to refrain from visiting your loved ones for just a couple of weeks. I know this is painful, and I know how much our older relatives rely on these visits. But if we don’t do this now, we’ll have no choice but to do it for a much longer period in a few weeks, and in that time, we’ll have lost more Rhode Islanders to this virus,” Raimondo said.