Providence Place, Warwick Malls To Close: Coronavirus In RI

PROVIDENCE, RI — The Providence Place Mall is closing its doors Tuesday and will remain shuttered until further notice in an effort to contain the spread of the new coronavirus in Rhode Island. The Warwick Mall will also close its doors, effective Tuesday.

On Monday morning, Governor Gina Raimondo signed an executive order calling for the closure of all dine-in restaurants, cafes and bars in the state for the next two weeks. Takeout and drive-through orders will be permitted. The Rhode Island Department of Health announced another new case of COVID-19 in the state, and said there is now community spread in the state. As such, all gatherings are asked to be limited to 25 people or fewer.

At the press conference, Providence Mayor Jorge Elorza said the city's mall will close, starting Tuesday, until further notice. Both Elorza and state officials reminded students, who are home from school this week, that this is not a regular vacation and that public places like malls should be avoided.

The Warwick Mall was closed following an executive order from the city government. All inside ares will be closed to the public, but larger anchor stores with direct entrances from the outside will be allowed to stay open at their own discretion, a statement said.

Rhode Islanders are strongly urged to avoid going out in public unless it is necessary. When out and about, everyone is asked to keep six feet of distance between themselves and others and practice good cough and sneeze etiquette. Frequent handwashing is continually encouraged, as well as the following:

• Get a flu shot, and encourage those around you to do the same. While this will not help prevent the spread of the coronavirus, it is an effective tool to keep people with the flu from developing complications that require hospitalization.
• Keep surfaces, especially bedside tables, bathrooms and children's toys clean by wiping them down with disinfectant.
• Get plenty of sleep, by physically active, manage stress, drink plenty of fluids and eat nutritious foods to maintain good health.
• The CDC does not recommend that otherwise healthy people wear a face mask to protect themselves from respiratory viruses, including the new coronavirus.

Health by calling the COVID-19 hotline at 401-222-8022, or 211 after hours, emailing RIDOH.COVID19Questions@health.ri.gov or visiting the department's website. In addition, the state has launched a 24-hour hotline during an anxiety-prone time. Anyone in need of mental health assistance can call 401-415-5565.

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