Middletown Town Council President: Tourist Arrival 'Worrisome'

MIDDLETOWN, RI — Middletown merchants typically look forward to the arrival of Connecticut, Massachusetts and New York license plates in town each spring and summer as a way to infuse money into local businesses during the bustling tourist season in town.

But, this year, the arrival of visitors and seasonal residents has some full-year residents concerned that those traveling from "hot spots" in the Northeast could result in a spike in new coronavirus cases in town.

"We are already witnessing the daily and weekend influx of visitors from other communities coming into town," Middletown Town Council President Robert Syliva said in a recent letter to the community. "This influx of tourists has played an important role in our local economy in the past. Unfortunately, today the presence of these tourists is worrisome; some residents ask if we can deter them from coming into Middletown."

Gov. Gina Raimondo has said that, at least in the first phases of the state's economic reopening, those intending to stay in RI from out of state must quarantine for at least 14 days. However, she said that those who are coming to town to shop, or dine outdoors when that is expected to be allowed by reservation starting on Monday, are subject to the same guidelines every business has to adhere to during the reopening.

"The evidence is clear that the precautions we have taken as a town have been helpful in reducing the spread of this virus in our community," Sylvia said. "Our town administrator and his entire staff are to be commended for a job well done under trying circumstances. However, their challenges are now expanding with the arrival of the tourist season."

Sylvia repeated his recent caution that a reopening of the economy comes with restrictions and risks if social guidelines are not followed.

"We must understand that this step does not get us back to ‘normal.'" he wrote. "We must move slowly and continue to vigilantly follow the guidance of the CDC and local public health officials to prevent the spread of the disease from flaring back up. Please make no mistake about it: COVID-19 is still present, it has not been eliminated, and it will remain in our lives until a remedy or vaccine is in place."

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