Here's the latest on the City's Response to the COVID-19 outbreak
Once again, we would like to say thank you for your cooperation and understanding during this incredibly difficult time. It's been a busy week around town and we're happy to report that we're continuing to build upon our response to the COVID-19 outbreak. Here's a recap:
- City Council members hosted a remote meeting earlier this week, discussing strategies to help boost Newport's economy as the State begins to re-open for business as well as voting to extend Newport's State of Emergency by 60 days to allow the administration to respond more swiftly to the COVID-19 outbreak. You can watch the proceedings online at www.CityofNewport.com/OnlineMeetings.
- If you have questions about food assistance, concerns about social distancing practices, or would like information about specific COVID-19 questions, the City's Emergency Operations Center (EOC) is fielding non-emergency phone calls Monday through Friday, from 8 a.m. - 4 p.m. at (401) 845-5501. Alternatively, you can email us at COVIDQuestions@CityofNewport.com.
- Cloth face masks are now required to be worn in the workplace and at customer-facing businesses. The Governor’s Executive Order 20-24 also requires businesses to take steps to require customers to wear face coverings, including the posting of that requirement at the entrance of the business and any other steps recommended by the Department of Business Regulation.
- We hosted our fourth Drive Through/Walk Up community food distribution at the Pell School on Wednesday and will be back again this week from 12 - 2 p.m.
- If you or a loved one is in need of food assistance, we've compiled a list of local food resources on our COVID-19 website here. We're also happy to report that a new mobile food pantry stop has been added to Bayside Village courtesy of the Martin Luther King Jr. Community Center.
- Meanwhile, volunteers once again delivered over 1,400 meals to at-risk residents across Aquidneck Island through our partnership with Meals on Wheels and the Aquidneck Island Emergency Volunteer Alliance. We can't even begin to express our gratitude to these tireless community partners. If you or a loved one may benefit from this program, please email carmateach@gmail.com.
- City Councilors hosted their weekly COVID-19 update on Tuesday, April 21st and a City Council meeting on Wednesday the 22nd. Both meetings are available for viewing on the City's website at www.CityofNewport.com/OnlineMeetings. Councilors will be meeting again remotely on Tuesday, April 28th at 4:30 p.m. Be sure to check our events calendar on the City’s website for time and call-in information.
- As a reminder, access to certain parks and beaches around town, including Easton's Beach, Braga Park, and the Cliff Walk remains limited as restrictions were put in place on Friday, April 3rd in order to discourage crowds. And while we hope that you do get some exercise by taking walks or riding your bikes, we're asking that you do so closer to home. City staff and police will be monitoring for gatherings of five (5) people or more and will be reminding people of the expectations set forth in the Governor's Stay at Home order.
- While Newport continues to prepare for a surge in cases, as of Saturday, a total of 31 people have tested positive in the City since the outbreak began last month. If you feel as though you may be exhibiting symptoms related to COVID-19, please contact your primary care physician or dial the RI Department of Health hotline at 401-222-8022, Monday -Friday between the hours of 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. If you'd like to schedule a rapid COVID-19 test, please visit www.CVS.com to schedule an appointment at the State's central rapid testing site at Twin River Casino in Lincoln.
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Voting in the time of COVID-19
The deadline to register to vote and change party affiliation is quickly approaching
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The Presidential Preference Primary has been postponed to June 2nd, 2020.
All registered voters will receive a mail ballot application. For voters who cannot vote by mail and need to vote in person, please know there will be fewer polling places open.
The final day to register to vote is Sunday, May 3rd and the final day to change party affiliation is Monday, May 4th. Completed voter registrations may be left in the drop box located outside City Hall on Bull Street from 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Registration collected from the box at 8:30 a.m. on Monday, May 4th will be considered received by the deadline.
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Have you signed up for our Emergency Alerts?
Over the last several weeks, Newport's Emergency Management team has been sending automated messages to both at-risk residents as well as the general public. Make sure you're signed up and we'll make sure you're informed of the latest information on the COVID-19 outbreak.
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It has come to our attention that residents of Aquidneck Island and other nearby communities may have received phone solicitations from individuals asking for donations in support of the Newport Police Department. Please note that the Newport Police Department does not solicit donations from anyone via phone.
If you've been contacted via telephone and asked to make donations to the Newport Police Department, this is a scam. While many legitimate local police foundations and organizations may solicit donations from local communities via telephone and mail, if you receive such a call, we encourage you to take note of who is calling (by name and number), the date and time.
If you’ve received a call from anyone soliciting donations for the City or any of its public safety agencies, the city is asking you to report it to the Newport Police Department’s online reporting tool at CityofNewport.com/OnlineReports
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Here's the Latest from the
R.I. Department of Health
Updated 04/25/20
- Serology testing: Earlier this week, the state received a shipment of 20,000 antibody tests that are now going through the validation process. In the coming weeks, the state will work with experts at Brown University and the Rhode Island Blood Center to test a random population sample and collect information about the prevalence of the virus in Rhode Island. In the meantime, RIDOH is creating a Rhode Island COVID-19 Testing and Validation Task Force to help analyze and draw conclusions from this data when it is available. The Task Force will be co-chaired by Dr. Angela Caliendo and Dr. Jonathan Kurtis, two Lifespan physicians.
- Workforce stabilization: Today, the Governor announced a new Congregate Care Workforce Stabilization Fund for private providers. For the next month, this fund will provide temporary pay increases for low-wage frontline workers at eligible Medicaid-funded residential facilities. Employers can apply to the Office of Health and Human Services starting next week.
- Banking pledge: More than 20 financial institutions in RI have pledged the following relief to their residential borrowers:
- A 90-day grace period for all residential mortgage payments for individuals impacted by COVID-19, with the opportunity to request additional relief
- An agreement to not report late payments to credit reporting agencies for residential borrowers who take advantage of this relief
- A 60-day moratorium on initiating residential foreclosures and evictions; and
- An agreement to waive mortgage-related late fees. More information can be found here. https://dbr.ri.gov/documents/Financial_Institution_Pledge.pdf
- Rental assistance: Starting next Thursday, the state will be making available $1.5M in rental assistance for low income Rhode Islanders across the state. Details and information on how to apply will be announced in the coming days.
- Violence Prevention: Next Thursday at 11 a.m., Governor Raimondo will be joined by Senator Reed, Senator Whitehouse, Congressman Langevin, Congressman Cicilline, Attorney General Neronha, members of the Cabinet and representatives from the advocate community for a Violence Prevention Facebook Town Hall. Rhode Islanders can submit their questions on Facebook or anonymously by emailing communications@governor.ri.gov.
For more information, please be sure to visit health.ri.gov
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Have you taken the 2020 Census yet?
Newporters have been responding to the 2020 Census, but we've still got a ways to go to make sure that Newport Counts in 2020. Census data is used to help determine how billions in financial support is allocated for scores of projects and initiatives, from road repairs to healthcare.
Please take a few minutes to visit www.2020Census.gov and find out how you can help make sure #NewportCounts
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Small Business Assistance
The RI Commerce Corporation has established a variety of COVID-19 Resources for small businesses affected by COVID-19. Information can be found at RI Commerce Help or by calling (401)521-HELP. Whether you're interested in learning more about the CARES Act or accessing SBA loan information, CommerceRI is leading Rhode Island's effort to connect businesses with state and federal assistance programs.
The City of Newport is also providing help to both business owners and residents through a special COVID-19 Financial Relief package Click here for more information.
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Mental Health & Social Service Resources
The Rhode Island Coalition Against Domestic Violence and all of its member agencies are open, as are domestic violence shelters. Rhode Islanders seeking help can call the 24/7 confidential hotline at 1-800-494-8100. Services are provided in English and in Spanish. While courts are closed for non-essential business including evictions, they are open for all domestic violence matters.
If you'd like to speak to someone about accessing mental health resources, BH Link is available seven days a week.
- Adults seeking mental or behavioral health support should call BH Link at 414-LINK(5465). MORE
- For services for children, call Kids Link 855-543-5465
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Doing Business with the City
As a reminder, although City Hall may be closed, local government is
very much open
- City Council meetings have moved to a remote format for the time being. For more information on upcoming meetings, please be sure to check the City's website and click on Upcoming Meetings.
- The Newport Public Schools have also transitioned to online learning. Be sure to visit NPSRI.net for the latest updates from the School Department.
- Trash and Recycling collection remains on a normal schedule, however the City's Spring Recycling Day has been cancelled. To download a copy of this year's Trash & Yard Waste Calendar, please visit www.CityofNewport.com/Trash
- Plans for the redevelopment of the North End are also ongoing, and public comments are still being accepted through the City's North End Urban Plan website
- For Real Estate transactions, sales are being recorded on an individual basis. Please contact the City Clerk's Office to make arrangements.
- Marriage Licenses are being issued for Newport residents only until further notice. Please contact the City Clerk's Office for more information. Vital records including birth certificates can also be requested online.
- Property taxes, utility bills, and parking tickets can also be paid on the City's website.
- Building permits can be applied for online 24/7
- And the Police Department is accepting non-emergency reports through our Online Reporting tool.
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