PROVIDENCE – Nightclubs that require full vaccination of patrons can open to full occupancy on May 28, the start of Memorial Day weekend, Gov. Daniel J. McKee said Thursday.
Dance clubs that do not require full vaccination can reopen May 28 with half-occupancy.
Nightclubs have been among the most impacted businesses through the pandemic. They now can only serve patrons drinks if they are seated at tables, according to the R.I. Commerce Corp. rules.
How nightclubs will verify the vaccination status of patrons is still being determined, said Stefan Pryor, the state’s commerce secretary.
Whether that will involve someone showing a vaccination card, or just a digital image of one is being determined, Pryor said. R.I. Commerce is working with nightclub owners who are interested in pursuing this, as well as the R.I Department of Health.
The state is committed to having professional inspectors working with the nightclubs on this for the time being, said Pryor.
For now, club goers will still have to wear masks. As of Thursday afternoon, the state had not changed its stance on requiring indoor wearing of masks.
The state is monitoring that policy, however, as on Thursday afternoon, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announced that people who are fully vaccinated no longer should be required to wear masks indoors, with some exceptions.
Mary MacDonald is a staff writer for the PBN. Contact her at macdonald@pbn.com.
