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RESTAURANT­S TO OFFER OUTDOOR DINING, BUT WITH SCREENINGS

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Rhode Islanders will soon be able to dine al fresco again.

Gov. Gina Raimondo announced Monday that the state will allow restaurant­s to offer limited outdoor dining starting May 18.

The state’s strict new guidelines call for dining by reservatio­n only and no more than five people per dining party.

Restaurant­s will also be limited to 20 outdoor tables spaced at least eight feet apart or separated by barriers, said Raimondo, a Democrat.

They’ll also be required to screen customers for the virus and take down their contact informatio­n for the state’s contact tracing efforts. The intensity of the screening will be left to restaurant­s but could include warning

signs, having a server ask customers if they’re feeling sick, or even taking their temperatur­es, Raimondo said.

And state officials will recommend that restaurant­s use disposable or digital menus as well as single-use condiments and utensils, the governor said.

Restaurant­s will also have to sanitize tables and chairs after every customer, and they won’t be allowed to offer valet parking, she added.

REOPENING ECONOMY

Workers and customers mostly adhered to the state’s rules for wearing face masks in public as the state took its first steps to reopen its shuttered economy this past weekend, Raimondo said Monday.

State inspectors visiting local businesses this weekend reported about 95% of employees were wearing the required face coverings and about 75% of customers were, she said.

The state lifted its stay-at-home order Saturday, reopening retail shops deemed nonessenti­al and some parks. Rhode Island’s limit of five people or less for social gatherings remains in effect, however.

HOSPITALIZ­ATIONS DECLINE

Hospitaliz­ations from the coronaviru­s have steadily declined in Rhode Island, according to state Department of Health data released Monday. There are now about 275 people in the hospital because of the virus, down from around 300 last week and about 350 earlier this month, according to department data.

Health officials also reported eight more virusrelat­ed deaths, raising Rhode Island’s count to 430 fatalities since the pandemic started.

They also reported nearly 200 new positive cases Monday, bringing the state’s tally to about 11,500 cases to date.

COURT TO HEAR CASES

The Rhode Island Supreme Court is scheduled to hear oral arguments this week using remote technology.

ADVERTISEM­ENT

The state’s highest court, which postponed all March and April hearings, will hear seven cases total Wednesday and Thursday.

The five justices and attorneys will be at separate locations, and the public will be able to tune into the proceeding­s live on the court’s Youtube channel.

SWIM FUNDRAISER CHANGED

Save The Bay’s annual open water swim, which raises funds to protect Narraganse­tt Bay, is going virtual this summer.

Instead of a 2-mile swim across the bay from Newport to Jamestown this July, organizers are offering participan­ts the chance to register for several virtual options, including the traditiona­l 2-mile swim, a half-mile swim, runs, bike rides and even paddling challenges at remote locations of their choice.

Completed challenges can be submitted through Aug. 31.

HEALTH WORKERS TRIBUTE

The National Guard is conducting a flyover of a hospital to honor health workers.

A C-130J military transport plane and a Black Hawk helicopter are slated to fly over Kent Hospital on Thursday morning, according to Care New England, which operates the hospital in Warwick.

State National Guard Maj. Gen. Christophe­r Callahan will also visit the hospital with a convoy including State Police and Emergency Management Agency vehicles.

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