20 May 2021 | 08:24 PM UTC
US: State of Rhode Island to live most COVID-19 restrictions effective May 21 /update 34
Officials in Rhode Island, US, to lift most COVID-19 business restrictions May 21. Travel restrictions eased.
Event
Authorities in Rhode Island have issued orders to lift most COVID-19 restrictions May 21 due to decreasing infections and an increasing number of residents who have been vaccinated against the virus. Under the new directives, almost all businesses, including restaurants, gyms, personal care services, retail stores, and indoor entertainment venues, as well as places of worship, can operate without specific capacity restrictions or social distancing measures. Clubs may open at 50 percent capacity; however, they can lift all capacity restrictions if they require all patrons to be fully vaccinated. Limits on social gatherings will also be lifted May 21. For more details, click here.
Additionally, state officials have lifted requirements for fully vaccinated persons to wear facemasks indoors, except in certain public settings such as schools, public transport, and healthcare facilities.
Travel Restrictions
Under the new guidelines, fully vaccinated travelers entering Rhode Island from other US states or from international destinations will not be required to quarantine or show a negative result from a COVID-19 test if they have been fully innoculated with vaccines approved by the US Food and Drug Administration or the World Health Organization and they have not had COVID-19 symptoms in the past 14 days.
For individuals not fully vaccinated, travel restrictions will remain unchanged: those entering from other US states or territories having a COVID-19 test positivity rate of 5 percent or greater must self-quarantine for 10 days upon arrival; persons who produce proof of having tested negative for COVID-19 within 72 hours before arriving in Rhode Island are exempt from the quarantine requirement. As of May 20, the full list of states and territories subject to Rhode Island's travel advisory includes:
Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri, North Carolina, North Dakota, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Utah, Washington, and Wyoming.
Unvaccinated international travelers arriving in Rhode Island are required to self-quarantine for 10 days; however, they may shorten the quarantine period to seven days by taking a COVID-19 test at least five days after arrival and testing negative.
Officials could amend the orders on short notice, depending on local disease activity in the coming weeks.
Advice
Heed the directives of local authorities. Reconfirm all health-related travel requirements before travel. Confirm appointments in advance.
Resources
WHO Coronavirus Knowledge Base
Rhode Island Department of Health - COVID-19 Updates
