New Coronavirus Rules Coming In Rhode Island April 26

PROVIDENCE, RI — Changes are coming to Rhode Island schools in the coming weeks, following new recommendations from the Centers For Disease Control and Prevention, Gov. Dan McKee announced Thursday.

Starting April 26, all schools can move to three-foot spacing between students in classrooms, rather than the current six feet. This change was made because there is evidence showing that transmission is very low in schools, McKee said, adding that the practice has been in place in elementary school for a while without issues.

In addition, buses will be allowed to increase to 75 percent capacity, and more people will be allowed to eat in the cafeteria at the same time, McKee said.

Schools are a "very low concern" for coronavirus transmission, the governor explained.

Along with the school changes, child care facilities, which have been open throughout most of the pandemic in Rhode Island, will be allowed to reopen at full capacity.

Read more:

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• RI Named In Top 10 Safest States During Coronavirus: WalletHub