Coronavirus in our Community

Please visit Health.RI.gov for the more information the State's response to the COVID-19 outbreak. Local resources are availble at www.CityofNewport.com/COVIDResources

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(Updated 4/08/20)

Stay At Home: The Governor has issued a stay-at-home order until April 13. This means that all Rhode Islanders should stay home unless getting food, medicine, gas, or going to work.

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Gatherings: Starting immediately, 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.

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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-QUARANTINECourts: The courts have extended their closure for all non-essential business--including residential and commercial evictions--through May 17th.

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Contact tracing: The state has partnered with SalesForce, a global software company, to make the contact tracing process more efficient. SalesForce is creating a secure database that will allow RIDOH and the National Guard to do contact tracing more efficiently and effectively. SalesForce is also creating a platform for physicians to order tests for patients at the National Guard testing sites.

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Face Masks: Everyone should wear a cloth face covering when in public. (These are different than medical grade masks, such as N95s, which should be reserved for healthcare workers.) A cloth face covering is a material that covers the nose and mouth. A cloth face cover could be sewn by hand or improvised from household items such as scarves or T-shirts. Cloth face covers are not substitutes for physical distancing, washing your hands, and staying home when ill.

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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

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Businesses: Effective March 30th, all non-critical retail businesses must shut down their stores. This includes clothing stores and gift shops. A full list of businesses that must close their in-person operations can be found here. This does not impact restaurants or bars, which are still allowed to open for takeout or delivery only.

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Food Establishments: Through May 8th, there will be no on-site food consumption for restaurants, bars, coffee shops, or other food establishments in Rhode Island. (Establishments with a food license can continue to conduct pick-up, drive-thru and delivery only.)

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All recreation and entertainment facilities as well as close-contact businesses are closed. This includes theaters, cinemas, sporting events, bowling alleys, gyms, fitness centers, hair salons and barbershops, nail salons, spas and tattoo parlors.

 

What the City of Newport is doing:

• We're in constant communications with the Rhode Island Department of Health and RI Emergency Management Agency and are closely monitoring developments as the situation unfolds. 
• We're also being proactive. We've closed City Hall to the public, but are fully staffed with many of our employees working remotely and available to answer any questions you might have.
• Our Public Services staff is following stepped up cleaning protocols and are limited access to public buildings and recreational facilities in order to encourage social distancing. 

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What you can do:

Here are some commonsense measures that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has recommended that you and your family can take to lower the risk of contracting and spreading the infection:

• Avoid close contact with people who are sick
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth
• Stay home when you are sick
• Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash
• Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces using a regular household cleaning spray or wipe
• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after using the bathroom; before eating; and after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing.
• If soap and water are not readily available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol. Always wash hands with soap and water if hands are visibly dirty.
• If you believe you’ve been exposed to COVID-19, please contact your healthcare provider immediately.

As a City, we understand that many in our community - both residents and businesses alike - have been negatively impacted by the COVID-19 outbreak. Please know that we are committed to easing that burden. 

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Current City Programs

»  Effective immediately, we will be abating all penalties and interest on Fourth Quarter taxes due on May 5^th until June 30, 2020.  Businesses and individuals that have been financially harmed by the coronavirus may apply for additional relief by downloading our online application and emailing it or mailing it to: lsitrin@cityofnewport.com, or Finance Director, 43 Broadway, Newport RI 02840. Other financial relief measures may include further delay of the 4^th quarter taxes or establishment of a payment plan approved by the City. Please call 401-845-5394 if you need an application mailed to you or if have any questions. 

» Utility shutoffs and collections activities have been suspended for Newport Water Division customers. If you're facing financial hardship, please contact the Utilities Department at (401) 845-5600 to set up a flexible payment plan in order to avoid growing balances.

» The City’s resident parking program, which normally goes into effect on May 1^st of each year, is being delayed. Motorists are advised that resident parking stickers will not be required, and Police will not be enforcing resident-only parking rules until June 1^st of this year. By delaying the parking program, we are hoping to make it easier for the residents and businesses to better manage the current uncertainty.  

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Forms & Applications

» City of Newport Tax Abatement Application

» Apply for a Federal Disaster Loan for Small Businesses
The U.S. Small Business Administration is offering low-interest federal disaster loans for working capital up to $2 million to Rhode Island small businesses suffering substantial economic injury as a result of the Coronavirus (COVID-19).

Applicants may apply online, receive additional disaster assistance information, and download applications at: https://disasterloan.sba.gov/ela. Applicants may also call SBA’s Customer Service Center at (800) 659-2955 or email disastercustomerservice@sba.gov for more information on SBA disaster assistance. If a paper forms are preferred, they can be accessed here.

If your business has questions regarding SBA loans and access to capital, please call RI Commerce's Small Business Hotline at (401) 521-HELP or e-mail info@commerceri.com.

Whether you're part of a small neighborhood group or work in a larger office environment, you can help prevent the spread of COVID-19. Feel free to download and share the following information with your friends, family, and coworkers. 

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Printable Flyers for Businesses and Organizations
Newport's Tips for Staying Healthy Flyer (.pdf)

CDC Flyers & Posters
How to Stop the Spread of Germs (English) (Spanish) (Simplified Chinese)
COVID-19 Fact Sheet (English) (Spanish) (Chinese) (French) (Portuguese)
What you need to know (English) (Spanish) (Simplified Chinese)
What to do if you are sick (English) (Spanish) (Simplified Chinese)
Stop the spread of germs (English) (Spanish) (Simplified Chinese)
Symptoms of COVID-19 (English) (Spanish)

Social Media Graphics to Share
Tips for Staying Healthy (Optimized for Facebook & Nextdoor)

COVID-19 Videos (via CDC)
View more videos about coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) on CDC’s YouTube Channel