Coronavirus: East Greenwich Plans Openings For Next Week

EAST GREENWICH, RI — East Greenwich officials are busy putting plans in place for the hopeful lifting of the state's stay-at-home order on Friday.

If, as she has said she anticipates, Gov. Gina Raimondo lifts the stay-at-home order effective Saturday as part of a slow, phased reopening open of the economy, and loosening of social gathering restrictions, East Greenwich plans to reopen parks, court areas and town offices by appointment.

Playgrounds will remain closed for the time being.

"It's going to be slow going," East Greenwich Town Manager Andy Nota said in a video message posted on Tuesday. "I think with the Governor, and everyone here in town, we're going to need everyone's patience through the beginning to get to the point where our businesses can open wide."

The town hall will reopen with some additional safety precautions that include plexiglass shields and protections on desks.

"Just to provide or staff, as well as the public, with a little more comfort," said Nota.

Nota said there will be additional meetings with planning and public safety this week to help facilitate the opening of more complex businesses when it comes to social distancing restrictions, such as restaurants.

"They are truly struggling," Nota said, "much more than I think a lot of people realize. They keep hanging on until they can reopen their business, in hopes that lot of us will really come back and support them at a time when they need that support."

The town announced earlier this week that recreation registration has been pushed back to May 26 in the hopes that the state's eased restrictions will allow some programs to move forward at the beginning of the summer, with Nota adding perhaps some medium- to large-scale programs possibly being available for August.

More Patch Coverage: Coronavirus: East Greenwich Summer Recreation Registration Delay