Despite Low Coronavirus Cases In RI, Fears Of July 4 Spike

PROVIDENCE, RI — Ahead of the July 4 holiday weekend, Gov. Gina Raimondo and the head of the Rhode Island Department of Health urged all Rhode Islanders to be careful when celebrating to avoid a spike in coronavirus cases similar to those seen in other states. To keep the number of new cases remain low in the state, all residents must be vigilant about mask-wearing and social distancing, Raimondo said.

The governor asked residents to go "out of their way" to follow the rules this weekend.

"If we do our job this weekend, two, three, four weeks from now we won't see a spike," Raimondo said. "Just remember people are dying every single day in Rhode Island because of this virus. ... Have fun. But follow the rules."

Rhode Island is now in phase three of reopening, meaning larger gatherings, especially outdoor ones, are acceptable. Large gatherings are limited to 250 people or fewer, leading nearly all cities and towns in the state to cancel fireworks displays and celebrations.

Rhode Islanders are asked to keep backyard barbecues and parties to 25 people or fewer, and continue to only socialize in small, stable groups. This approach has been shown to help prevent the spread of COVID-19, Dr. Nicole Alexander-Scott, the director of the Department of Health, said.

Although all state beaches and parks remain open, the governor said she will be forced to close them if crowding persists, as has been the case over the past weekends.

"I don't want to be Miami," Raimondo said. "I don't want to be Fort Lauderdale. Cases are up and beaches are closed."

Over the weekend, state inspectors visited ice cream shops, restaurants and other businesses, finding very good compliance with social distancing guidelines and over 90 percent with mask wearing, among both employees and customers.

Bars, however, are an issue, Raimondo said, with 18 percent lacking appropriate social distancing. At this time, bars should be operating as restaurants, avoiding groups of people clustering at the bar to order drinks. If the bar remains open, there must be a plexiglass barrier if a bartender is present and no standing service will be allowed. Customers may sit at the bar to eat.

This article originally appeared on the Cranston Patch