PROVIDENCE – When moving into Phase II of restarting the economy, Gov. Gina M. Raimondo on Wednesday said there will be a “big relaxing” of the rules, including the reopening of gyms and fitness centers for June 1.
New guidelines for gyms and fitness centers, which were posted on ReopeningRI.com earlier in the day, include scheduled classes, face masks, extended social distancing, closed locker rooms and more cleaning. Raimondo said she encourages reservation systems and for gym members to attend the same classes with the same groups of people each week. Locker rooms will remain closed for the entirety of Phase II, which should last the month of June, Raimondo expects.
According to the guidelines, people should remain 14 feet apart from one another if they feel as though they cannot wear a mask while exercising aggressively.
“I want the people of Rhode Island to know, I believe it is safe for you to do this,” said Raimondo.
R.I. Department of Health Director Dr. Nicole Alexander-Scott said that the common health guidelines should be kept up even more so throughout Phase II.
“Other businesses and organizations can expect a similar approach,” said Dr. Alexander-Scott. “Everyone can be assured that we are using science and data to directly inform the recommendations that are being given.”
Reported cases of COVID-19 in the state rose by 143 on Tuesday to 14,353 while fatalities due to the virus increased by 21 to 655, the R.I. Department of Health said Wednesday. According to Dr. Alexander Scott, 16 of these COVID-related fatalities are from long-term care facilities.
The governor’s briefing came directly after Republican House Minority Leader Blake A. Filippi and R.I. Republican Caucus called for the R.I. House Committee on Oversight to reconvene for the first time since March, with or without the consent of House Speaker Rep. Nicholas Mattiello or Chair Rep. Patricia Serpa.
On the steps of the Statehouse, Filippi said rules require a majority of the committee, not permission from its leaders, and is looking to get back to work to look at COVID-19’s effect on nursing homes and Raimondo’s response.
“Seventy-five percent of all COVID-19 related deaths are in our nursing homes and assisted living facilities,” said Filippi.
When asked about the Republican members of the committee’s press briefing, Raimondo said she has been as transparent as possible.
“If they want to do a hearing, that’s their call,” said Raimondo, reiterating her commitment to retesting workers every 7-10 days, how she shut down visitation early on and supplying PPE supplies.
However, Raimondo said if the committee was to bring their members and staff into the Statehouse, it would be “a very bad idea.”
Current hospitalizations due to the virus totaled 218, a decline from 226 the day before. The state said 49 COVID-19 patients were in intensive care units and 35 were on ventilators. To date, 1,175 COVID-19 patients have been discharged from the hospital.
“The stability in our hospital numbers is an important sign,” said Dr. Alexander-Scott.
The state conducted 2,497 tests on Tuesday, bringing the state total to 138,383.
This story has been updated to include details from the governor’s press conference as well as comments from House Minority Leader Blake A. Filippi.
Did Gina really say that the high percentage of nursing home Covid 19 deaths in nursing homes and assisted living facilities was a testament to the number of lives saved outside of those facilities?