COVID-related violations spur crackdown from state officials

Compliance orders issued to several businesses around RI

While the Rhode Island Department of Health on Thursday doled out another 10 compliance orders to businesses that failed to comply with a range of public health directives related to COVID-19, including one in Central Falls, state officials also lauded more than 250 businesses in sectors such as retail, fitness, and hospitality that received perfect scores on their recent COVID-19 compliance inspections.

Establishments that received a “compliance order” can remain open but will be re-inspected in 10 days to ensure that the business is meeting all health and safety requirements. According to the Rhode Island Department of Health, 10 businesses received compliance orders – Migz Wireless in Central Falls, Oaklawn Mobile in Cranston, Super 8 Motel in West Greenwich, Lenox Convenience Store in Providence, and 114 Express and Warren Super Mart, both Warren. Mahogany Shoals in New Shoreham, Sandy Shore Motel in Westerly, and Saver’s Mart and Milano’s Pizza, both in Providence, are all now in compliance after being recently re-inspected.

According to the compliance order for Migz Wireless at 747 Broad St. in Central Falls, alleged violations from an Aug. 15 inspection included the owner displaying a lack of familiarity with executive orders and safe regulations, no written plan for the safe operation of the establishment, no required cleaning log, no entry screening, and no readily accessible hand sanitizer available.

However, it wasn’t all

bad news for businesses in Rhode Island, as the Department of Health announced that more than 250 businesses in sectors such as retail, fitness, and hospitality

received perfect scores on their COVID-19 compliance inspections, according to the state’s COVID-19 Enforcement Task Force.

“The business owners and employees throughout Rhode Island who are proactively implementing systems and practices to prevent the spread of COVID-19 absolutely should be applauded,” Health Department Director Nicole Alexander-Scott said in a statement. “The business community has a major role to play in helping

keep our communities healthy and safe. These business owners are setting examples that should be followed throughout the state.”

“The Department of Business Regulation thanks the vast majority of businesses who are following the rules and implementing the necessary protocols to keep our citizens safe,” DBR Director Liz Tanner added. “We will continue to inspect businesses throughout the state and work with those who are not fully in

compliance. It is only through your cooperation that our state can continue to safely reopen its economy and emerge from this crisis together.”

The following businesses in the Blackstone Valley all were found to be in full compliance with COVID-19 guidelines and safety regulations during the week of Aug. 10 to 16:

Burrillville: Brigido’s Fresh Market, Corkscrew Wine and Spirits, Crystal Lake Country Club, Dunkin’

Cumberland: Davenport’s Family Restaurant

North Smithfield: North Smithfield Liquor Warehouse, Walgreens

Pawtucket: Planet Fitness, Rocks Bar, Spumoni’s, The Guild, Tiggers Two

Woonsocket: Boost Mobile, Travelers Transit, Walgreens