RI Lawmaker Calls For End To RI's Coronavirus Restaurant Curfew

PROVIDENCE, RI — A Rhode Island lawmaker is calling for an end to the curfew for restaurants under the state's current coronavirus regulations, saying they put an undue burden on small businesses.

Rep. William O'Brien, a Democrat from North Providence, plans to introduce a resolution in the General Assembly that would call on the governor to lift the mandatory closing time. Under the current regulations, restaurants and other businesses must close by 10 p.m. during the week and 10:30 p.m. on weekends.

"While we all want to do our part to defeat COVID-19 and keep our communities safe, these mandated closure times have decimated our restaurants and bars that rely upon nightlife to keep their doors open and their employees working and paid," O'Brien said. "There has been no scientific evidence or rationale offered for these arbitrary closing times and it is time that we support our small businesses by repealing this order which was only supposed to be temporary in the first place."

Gov. Gina Raimondo put the early closure policy in place in early November, as case number started to climb in the state. She followed the example of neighboring Massachusetts, which had a policy in place until it was lifted earlier this week.

"These businesses have spent thousands of dollars in preparation and COVID-19 safety procedures and they have done everything the state has asked them to do, including following this draconian order to close early every night," O'Brien continued. "Hospital and infection rates are down and our neighbors in Massachusetts are now allowing their restaurants and bars to operate at normal hours. Now is the time to give our restaurants and bars the help that they are pleading desperately for before all of these treasured small businesses close for good."

Similar resolutions have been introduced by community leaders in North Providence and Cranston.

Under O'Brien's resolution, the state would have to allow businesses to operate under normal hours, or provide immediate financial assistance to those negatively impacted by the early closure.