The governor says select parks, including Lincoln Woods, Beavertail in Jamestown, and Fort Adams in Newport, will open during phase one of the planned reopening, but activities will be limited, parking will be reduced, and enforcement will be increased.
“Just gently get back out there so that we can do it safely,” Gov. Raimondo said at her daily briefing Friday. “You’re not going to be able to do things like have a cookout, or have a huge football game…and you should probably limit your time so that everybody has a chance to enjoy the park.”
Raimondo said she’s not prepared to open beaches yet but expects people will be able to head to the beach during a later phase of the reopening.
The governor expects hospitals will be able to provide elective and non-critical procedures sometime in the next two weeks. She said hospitals have already submitted plans for performing elective surgeries and the proposals are thorough and safe.
“None of us is going to allow you to go back to a hospital if we don’t think it’s safe,” she said, “which means that next week when I start making announcements that different hospitals are up for elective surgery, I want you to have confidence that it is safe for you to go.”
She also announced daycare providers are being asked to submit reopening plans with the hope of getting back in business June 1. She said childcare providers will operate under new protocols, including for group sizes, parent drop off and pick up, and temperature screening.
To help daycares manage the added costs, the state will temporarily increase its rates under the Child Care Assistance Program.
She also reassured struggling Rhode Islanders that Attorney General Peter Neronha is prepared to take legal action against debt collectors who try to seize government stimulus checks.
“Take a deep breath right now,” Raimondo said to people worried about having their stimulus money taken away, “and know that that isn’t going to happen.”
Alex Nunes can be reached at anunes@thepublicsradio.org.
