Rhode Island governor apologizes for not wearing mask

A look at coronavirus-related developments around New England outside of Connecticut on Sunday.

Rhode Island

Rhode Island Gov. Gina Raimondo apologized for violating her own safety rules by addressing demonstrators without wearing a mask.

Raimondo told the Providence Journal in a statement that things were “tense and hectic” Friday night at the State House as the number of protesters swelled to at least 10,000. She said she simply forgot to bring a face mask when she went outside to speak.

“That was wrong. It was counter to our public health guidance, and I apologize,” she wrote.

Republican state Rep. Bobby Nardolillo didn’t let the misstep go unnoticed. On Twitter, he called the Democractic governor’s behavior “reckless,” told her to “KNOCK IT OFF” and encouraged her to quarantine for 14 days.

Protests have been ongoing throughout the U.S. following George Floyd’s death. Floyd, a black man, died on May 25 after a white Minneapolis police officer put his knee on Floyd’s neck while he was handcuffed on the ground until he stopped breathing.

Massachusetts

The chief of the Massachusetts Lodging Association responded to the state’s next phase of reopening with a “Hallelujah!”

Gov. Charlie Baker announced new rules that go into effect today allowing hotels, motels, inns and short-term rentals to begin accepting guests. Previously, they could rent rooms only for “essential workers.”

Paul Sacco, chief of the Massachusetts Lodging Association, said he doesn’t expect motels and hotels to fill up overnight. But he said he’s hopeful travelers will start to come visit. “My final word on it is ‘Hallelujah,’” he told the Boston Herald.

Also today, restaurants can begin offering outdoor dining, retail stores can open their doors, and child care centers can resume operations, all with limitations specific to each sector.

The Massachusetts Department of Public Health on Sunday reported 27 more deaths and 304 more positive tests for the coronavirus.

New Hampshire

New Hampshire is allowing voter registration by mail due to the coronavirus pandemic.

The secretary of state and attorney general’s office issued rules this past week outlining the procedure for those wishing to register to vote by mail. Prospective voters will have to fill out a registration form and provide a copy of a photo ID and a document showing their name and address. A witness must watch the voter sign the form and attest to the voter’s identity.

State officials previously said that any voter may request an absentee ballot for the upcoming fall elections because of the pandemic.

Vermont

The pandemic is adding to the years-long wait for the University of Vermont’s new arena to open.

Financial uncertainty caused by the pandemic prompted the university to delay securing $30 million in bonds, pushing back the timeline for the new facility to open, according to school officials.

The Tarrant Center is the largest part of an effort upgrade UVM athletic facilities. Other portions included renovations to Gutterson Fieldhouse and revamping Patrick Gym as a campus recreation venue.

Maine

Maine’s leaders are cautiously hopeful about coronavirus statistics as the state continues to reopen for business.

The state’s seven-day average of daily new cases declined this past week, from about 53 on May 26 to about 37 on Friday, and active cases fell from 612 on Thursday to 587 on Friday.

President Donald Trump criticized Maine’s pace of reopening during a visit to the state Friday, likening Democratic Gov. Janet Mills to a “dictator” over her pandemic control measures.

Mills said Trump’s remarks reminded her of other “loud men” she had heard through her career who “talk tough to disguise their weakness.”