A meeting Wednesday of the Rhode Island House Judiciary Committee has been cancelled since it was expected to draw a large group of people.
Gun-related bills, which routinely draw big crowds to the Statehouse, were on the agenda for the hearing.
In a statement, the legislature said the meeting was scrapped “upon the recommendation of Dr. Nicole Alexander-Scott, director of the Rhode Island Department of Health,” due to concerns about the coronavirus.
All other House hearings will continue as scheduled Wednesday evening.
In a statement, the state Health Department said, “Director Nicole Alexander-Scott is informing the Speaker it is her strong suggestion that as much as possible large events be postponed or rescheduled in order to limit the spread of COVID 19.
The statement continues: “Because COVID-19 spreads between people who are in close contact with one another (within roughly 6 feet), cancelling or postponing large events is an important tool to limit the spread of COVID-19 in Rhode Island. Measures such as these are most effective at limiting the spread of disease when implemented before a community is seeing widespread transmission. Additional details and guidance on mass gatherings will be forthcoming today.”
Gov. Gina Raimondo declared a state of emergency on Monday, a move that she said would enable her to use the resources of the National Guard and make Rhode Island eligible for federal assistance.
Meetings of the 75-member House of Representatives and 38-member Senate have not been changed due to concerns about the coronavirus.
