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:
- The City of Newport with the partnership of RI Food Bank will be holding their last food assistance site at Pell Elementary School located on 35 Dexter St. Newport, on Wednesday, May 20th from 12 p.m. (noon) to 2 p.m. There will be NO food assistance this week May 13th at Pell School. Anyone in need please drive up or walk up to Pell School for a week's worth of food. A Food Assistance Resource Flyer will be handed out on May 20th for people in need.
- The state's Stay at Home order was lifted on Saturday, May 9th, allowing non-essential retailers to open provided they meet certain requirements as outlined by the RI Department of Health. Restaurants will also be allowed to open with outdoor seating beginning Monday, May 18th, with the following conditions:
- Dining will be by reservation only and groups may not exceed five people, in accordance with guidance on social gathering.
- Tables must be at least eight feet apart or separated by barriers, and no more than 20 tables will be allowed in any outdoor space.
- One-time-use paper menus, digital menus, or chalkboard menus will be recommended.
- Condiments and utensils will either be single-use or sanitized between uses.
- All high-traffic areas will have to be frequently cleaned. Tables and chairs will be sanitized in between parties.
- All employees must wear face coverings, and all customers must wear face coverings when they are not eating.
- Self-service food stations like buffets and salad bars will be prohibited.
- Cashless and contactless payment methods will be encouraged. Pens and payment stations will be frequently cleaned.
- For now, no valet services will be allowed. Customers will be asked to park their own cars.
- City Council members once again received an update from the City Manager last week on Newport's response to the COVID-19 outbreak. You can watch the proceedings online at www.CityofNewport.com/OnlineMeetings. Councilors will be meeting again remotely on Wednesday, May 13th at 6:30 p.m. for their regular monthly meeting. Among the highlights is the presentation of the City's proposed FY2021 budget. Be sure to check our events calendar on the City’s website for time and call-in information.
- As a reminder, per order of the Governor, cloth face masks are now required to be worn in public at all times. While the state's Stay at Home Order has been lifted, we still have a ways to go until we're able to get back to normal. For the health and safety of your friends and neighbors - please be sure to wear a face mask while in public and practice social distancing at all times.
- As of May 4th, a total of 40 people have tested positive for COVID-19 in Newport since the outbreak began. 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. EBCAP has also opened a walk-up/drive-in testing site across from the CCRI campus in Newport. The site is open by appointment only. For information, please visit www.CityofNewport.com/News
- 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 and are continuing to provide free meals to the community through our partnership with Meals on Wheels. If you have questions about food assistance, concerns about social distancing practices, or would like information about specific COVID-19 questions, please email us at COVIDQuestions@CityofNewport.com
- As a reminder, access to certain parks and beaches around town, including Easton's Beach, Braga Park, and the Cliff Walk remains limited 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 executive order requiring face masks to be worn in public.
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Please Wear Face Coverings while in Public
In accordance with guidance from state health officials, the City of Newport is advising that face masks should be worn at all times while in public - whether you're indoors and outside.
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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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As part of the City's plan to reopen our own public facilities, we're happy to announce that roughly half of our tennis and pickleball courts will be brought back into use beginning Monday, May 11th.
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Here's the Latest from the
R.I. Department of Health
Updated 05/12/20
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Testing News: Earlier this week, Dr. Alexander-Scott announced the first round of serology (blood) testing in Rhode Island. The State will be performing both diagnostic (nasal swabs) tests and blood antibody tests at four locations across the state. This testing will help offer a better picture of how widespread the virus is in our state.
RIDOH mailed letters to 5,000 randomly selected Rhode Islanders across the state inviting them to get tested at one of these sites. Participation is completely optional and testing information will be secure and confidential. You can only go to one of the four sites if you received a letter in the mail. If you decide to be tested at one of these four sites and your nasal swab test result is positive, RIDOH will call you and will start the contact tracing process.
If you get a letter, please help us learn more about COVID-19 in Rhode Island.
- Reopening Rhode Island’s economy: The Governor unveiled a framework for safely reopening the economy. For details visit, ReopeningRI.com.
- New Regulations: In order to prevent further spread of COVID-19 as individuals begin to leave their homes more frequently and establishments begin to reopen, protective measures must be followed and implemented for individuals and establishments to resume operations so that the public's health and welfare is protected. RIDOH REGULATION
- Gatherings: All gatherings of more than 5 people are banned. Individuals should be interacting with the same people every day to minimize the risk of spread. This order does not apply to healthcare workers in a workplace setting, public transportation or office buildings. However, people must practice social distancing at all times.
- Face Coverings: When people are in public, they should wear a cloth face covering. A cloth face covering is a material that covers the nose and mouth. It could be sewn by hand or improvised from household items such as scarves, T-shirts, or bandanas. VIDEO The only exceptions from these rules are for anyone whose health would be in jeopardy because of wearing a face covering or any children under 2 years old. Businesses should refer to RICOMMERCE.COM for rules and guidance on face coverings.
- Travelers: Starting immediately, any person coming to Rhode Island by any mode of transportation after visiting another state for a non-work-related purpose must self-quarantine for 14 days. This restriction will not apply to public health, public safety or healthcare workers. MORE ON SELF-QUARANTINE
- Commuters: Those who are able to work from home should do so, and anyone commuting in and out of the state for work should remain in their home when not at work.MORE ON SELF-QUARANTINE
- Retail Businesses: Non-critical retail stores will reopen with capacity limits. Recreation and entertainment businesses will remain closed. This includes theaters, cinemas, bowling alleys, concert venues, museums, and zoos. Close-contact businesses will also remain closed. This includes gyms, fitness centers, yoga studios, hair salons, nail salons, barber shops, and tattoo parlors.
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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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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