Despite Coronavirus Spike, RI Off CT Travel Advisory List

Rhode Islanders are now free to visit Connecticut without needing to quarantine for 14 days or get tested for the coronavirus. The changed policy comes as Rhode Island sees a surge in COVID-19 cases, hospitalizations and the state's percent positive rate.

During last week's news conference, Gov. Gina Raimondo said she was in talks with Connecticut Gov. Ned Lamont and continued to lobby Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker to loosen restrictions on Rhode Island. As of Wednesday, Rhode Island is still listed as restricted on the Bay State's travel advisory map, as well as in New York.

Rhode Island currently has 37 states on its own travel advisory list, which includes anywhere with a positive coronavirus test rate of 5 percent or higher. No other New England states are on the list. Anyone entering Rhode Island from one of these states, including returning residents, must quarantine for 14 days or show proof of a negative test.

The past two weeks have seen a sharp spike in Rhode Island's coronavirus cases, with the latest weekly cases per 100,000 people more than double the state's safe threshold. In addition, the state's percent positive rate and new hospitalizations have increased.

Raimondo is expected to discuss the increase during Wednesday's weekly news conference at 1 p.m. Watch live on the governor's Facebook page.