Mayor Lisa Baldelli-Hunt Declares State of Emergency and Addresses City Operations

March 16, 2020

Contact: Chief Paul Shatraw, Woonsocket Fire Department

pshatraw@woonsocketri.org; 401-692-0975

Mayor Lisa Baldelli-Hunt Declares State of Emergency and Addresses City Operations

WOONSOCKET, R.I.: Mayor Lisa Baldelli-Hunt today announced a state of emergency in the City of Woonsocket following the United States Health and Human Services declaring a public health emergency for the entire United States to aid the nation’s healthcare community in response to COVID-19. BaldelliHunt’s actions are pursuant to Governor Gina Raimondo’s executive orders declaring Rhode Island a state of emergency. Addressing the coronavirus pandemic Mayor Lisa Baldelli-Hunt announced City actions being taken to keep the residents of the City as safe as possible. “Senior Public Safety Officials, Landmark Medical Officials and I have been working vigorously over the past 3 weeks to put systems and measures in place to ensure the welfare of our citizens,” said Mayor Baldelli-Hunt.

City Council President Daniel Gendron said, “The health and safety of residents are of paramount importance and these guidelines will ensure the highest level of safety for our citizens.”

Pursuant to the Governor’s Executive Order, all restaurants, coffee shops, cafes and bars in the City of Woonsocket will be closed at midnight tonight for dine-in services. Drive-up windows, takeout and delivery services will remain in operation using RI Health Department guidelines for safety. This will be in effect until March 30.

Also pursuant to the Governors’ Executive Order no gatherings of 25 people or more will be permitted and will be strictly enforced by the Public Safety Officials.

Effective at 12:01AM, March 17, 2020, City Hall will be closed to the public until further notice. Critical and essential employees determined by Department Directors and Chiefs will be reporting to work. Public Safety will remain fully staffed and in full operation.

According to Superintendent of Schools Dr. Patrick McGee, “The School Department is working closely with the Commissioner of Education on a Distance Learning Plan which should be delivered by the end of the week. Schools in the City are closed until March 20. The School Department will be providing food to Woonsocket district students starting March 17. Students can pick up food at Hamlet Middle, Coleman or Citizens school Tuesday through Friday between 11AM-1PM.” The Mayor will be providing updates on an ongoing basis as information evolves from the federal and state levels and the CDC. “We are taking the COVID-19 pandemic very seriously. These are unprecedented guidelines during an untested, unchartered, global pandemic and adhering to them will save countless lives,” stated Mayor Baldelli-Hunt.

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