Hello friend,
GOVERNOR GINA RAIMONDO, RHODE ISLAND
There’s a lot going on these days, and it’s easy to miss things. That’s why I wanted to put together a recap of the announcements from the past week.
If you know someone who wants to stay up-to-date on the latest measures Rhode Island is taking to stop the spread of COVID-19, send them this link: lp.constantcontactpages.com/su/eYMG9tf . The better we all stay informed, the better we’ll be able to keep ourselves, our families, and our friends safe from COVID-19.
NEW GUIDANCE
We issued five new pieces of guidance in response to our rising COVID-19 case numbers:
We’re reducing the social gathering limit from 15 to 10, effective immediately.
We’re no longer allowing spectators at sporting events for the next two weeks.
Effective Monday, we’re closing all ice rinks and indoor sports facilities for one week.
We’re asking faith leaders to bring back virtual services and proactively encourage congregants to use that option for the next few weeks.
We’re working with our nursing homes and hospitals to scale back on visitation.
These are important, necessary steps to turn our case numbers around. If we rally together to sop the spread now, two weeks from now we’ll be in a much better place.
OPEN ENROLLMENT
The open enrollment period for HealthSource RI, the state’s official marketplace for health insurance coverage, starts today. Now is the time to sign up for new health coverage or renew your existing coverage.
We want you to be able to weigh your health coverage options safely, and so HealthSource is making it easier than ever to get help remotely. The call center has extended hours, live web chat support, virtual enrollment events, and an online application. If you’re worried about the cost of coverage and are unsure what financial help you qualify for, reach out to HealthSource. They are here to help. 80% of people enrolled through HealthSource are eligible to receive financial assistance. You can visit HealthSourceRI.com for information.
THE 3 I’S
We’ve talked a lot over the last few weeks about the 3 W’s, the basic rules for stopping COVID-19: wear your mask, wash your hands, and watch your distance.
As our cases rise, we also want you to avoid the 3 I’s, which are the situations that are getting us into trouble. Stay away from events that are informal, indoors, and with inconsistent groups. These instances are where we’re seeing the most spread.
I hope you find this recap helpful. It’s so important that everyone stays engaged and informed so that we can all stay safe and healthy. I’ll be back on TV with more updates Thursday at 1 p.m.
We’re all in this together.
-Gina Raimondo
Governor
P.S.: Information is our greatest weapon in the fight against COVID-19. If you or someone you know wants to sign up to receive these emails, you can use this link