RI Gov. Expected to Announce New Coronavirus Restrictions Thursday
RI Companies Ordered to Shut Down Break Rooms for Next 3 Months
Gov. Gina Raimondo said socializing in office break rooms was one of the sources of a recent increase in COVID-19 cases
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Rhode Island Gov. Gina Raimondo on Thursday said office break rooms must be shut down for the next three months in a bid to slow an uptick in coronavirus cases across the state.
Raimondo said casual socializing in break rooms were one of the sources of a recent increase in COVID-19 cases in the state, in addition to small indoor gatherings among family and friends.
Employers should seek safe, alternative spaces where employees can take breaks, including encouraging people to take breaks outside. In cases where companies cannot close the break room, she asked companies to use "creative" solutions such as sign-up sheets.
Cafeterias will be allowed to remain open, she said. The health department would provide further details to companies.
She also asked companies to continue allowing employees to work from home if possible and to discourage car pooling. Firms should also encourage workers to get coronavirus tests, even if they are not showing symptoms.
The break room closures were among a number of moves and pleas made by the administration Thursday to stem infections in difficult-to-manage situations such as small social gatherings.
"It's harder to regulate and enforce our way out of our problem now, because most of the problems we are seeing are happening in your home, in your backyard, in a break room," she said.
"We just have to try a little harder, get a little more focused, because we're in a tough spot right now."
