Raimondo declares state of emergency over virus
35O9ID(NC( Gov. Gina 5aimondo and state agencies took steps on several fronts Monday to combat the spread of the coronavirus CO9ID-1 including the declaration of a state of emergency in 5hode Island to secure additional prevention resources, enacting strict rules for visitations at nursing homes and also offering quicker temporary unemployment insurance to those voluntarily quarantined for sickness or possible exposure.
As 5aimondo and 5.I. Department of Health Director Dr. Nicole Alexander-Scott held a press conference on the moves at the Department of Administration, the number of confirmed cases of coronavirus in 5hode Island remained at three, but six people were still awaiting test results for the virus and another 2 2 in precautionary self-quarantine, according to the Department of Health’s latest data.
5aimondo praised state employees and healthcare workers “for all that you are doing to keep all of us and our families and co-workers safe as we work together through CO9ID-1 ,” before turning to the serious business of how to assist people required to stay home from work for a total of 14 days while in self-quarantine even if they are not sick but only potentially exposed to CO9ID-1 .
“I said last week those are the folks that are the unsung heroes, it really is true and by this point we have hundreds of people in quarantine so of course we are starting to hear from them that they are not sick and yet they are at home,” 5aimondo said.
“And I can’t not emphasize enough, how important it is that they stay home for these full 14 days. Not 10 or 11 days the full 14 days of symptom free, 14 days stay at home,” the Governor said.
5aimondo thanked employers in the state for “allowing your employees to stay home for the full 14 days” and added that she is “asking every employer in 5I to do the right thing and make sure that when these employees come back that their Mob is there for them, that nobody is punished or penalized for taking the time out if they are sick or if they are quarantined.
“Let’s make every possible effort to make sure that people are paid for the time that they are in quarantine or that
are home sick,” the overnor said.
Raimondo said she was aware that the self-Tuarantine reTuests are a challenge for businesses in the state noting “it’s not easy, isn’t convenient and in some cases will be e - pensive.
“%ut I said at the beginning of this that we would be guided by science and evi
dence and fact, and based on everything that we know, it is in everybody’s long term best interest that if folks are sick or Tuarantined, that they stay home. And in the end it will benefit all of us,” Raimondo said.
Raimondo said she had been in contact with the federal &enters for isease &ontrol & & and 9ice 3resident 3ence earlier in the day with the state coronavirus team and “it is crystal clear that this is a disease, a virus, we know that has the greatest impact on the elderly, particularly the elderly that have underlying health conditions and of course I will defer to r. Ale ander-Scott to address the healthcare issues but I want to make a special plea to all Rhode Islanders who have elderly and sick family members.
“Recogni e that it is children that are doing relatively better with this disease. The greatest risk is the elderly who have an underlying lung, or heart or health issue and we have to do everything we can to protect them,” Raimondo said.
“In light of the fact that
his is an ever changing crisis that we are dealing with and in light of the fact it is my desire to be proactive I am now announcing several additional steps to make sure that Rhode Island is in the best position possible to fight the virus and keep Rhode Islanders safe,” Raimondo said.
“I do, however, want to emphasi e what I said last Monday, this isn’t a time to panic, the risk to the average Rhode Islander remains low, however, it is time for action, not panic, but action,” Raimondo said.
The governor said that while the risk remains low, every individual should “continue to be smart,” and follow self protection guidelines for freTuent hand washing, “staying home if you are sick, proper coughing etiTuette.”
(ven though she has directed everyone managing the crisis in Rhode Island to be “as proactive as possible,” Raimondo said. “:e fully e - pect that there will be more cases.
“:e know that we are seeing that in other parts of the world, we’re seeing that in other states. I want to be pre
pared, I want to be proactive and I want to be assertive so that Rhode Islanders will be protected,” Raimondo said.
“To that end, a few minutes ago, I signed a declaration declaring a state of emergency here in the state of Rhode Island. :hy did I do that, because it gives us more tools in our toolbo to take the necessary steps. Specifically it will enable us to better tap into resources of the 1ational uard if that is necessary, it will make sure we are first in line for any federal resources and it Must give us more degrees of freedom to address the virus if and as the need arises,” Raimondo said.
“Secondly, today I am announcing additional measures to protect Rhode Islanders. The reality is if you are staying home, for most people that means you are not getting paid, and I understand that, I hear that, I hear you.
“So we want to do everything possible so that you have, so you that you get paid while you are being directed to stay home. It’s good for you and it is good for Rhode Island,” Raimondo said.
As part of the new state directives, Raimondo said she was announcing changes to unemployment insurance and temporary disability insurance designed to compensate workers, “at least partially for the time that they are directed to stay home when they are sick or they are in Tuarantine.”
The changes take note of the five days of sick leave the state enacted three years ago that allow for someone to have five days of sick leave for somebody to stay home when they are sick or need to take care of a loved one.
The state epartment of abor and Training will be waiving the waiting period associated with temporary disability insurance and making it clear that anyone who is in Tuarantine or who has a child in Tuarantine and needs to “stay home to take care of that child is eligible for temporary disability insurance for the period of 4 days, even if they are not sick but are in Tuarantine,” the overnor said.
The T has put up a coronavirus hotline at the epartment of abor, 4 -4 - , which can be accessed by employers that have Tuestions or also by individuals who are sick or Tuarantined.
“I also want to be crystal clear to every employer out there, we are asking you to do the right thing. I know it is e pensive, I know it is inconvenient, I know it is a disruption. 3eople who are sick or Tuarantined have to stay home, they have to be able to stay home, they should be compensated to stay home and their Mobs should be there when they return,” Raimondo said.
“That is what we are doing here in the state as employer and I’m asking employers to do that and I am asking the federal government to step up and provide unemployment insurance benefits, paid for by the federal government. It is the right thing to do,” Raimondo said.