page_title: COVID-19 pandemic in Rhode Island
section_title: May
hierarchical_section_title: COVID-19 pandemic in Rhode Island / Timeline / May
caption_attribution_description: Soldiers from the Rhode Island National Guard performing multiple tasks at a COVID-19 test site located at Rhode Island College, North Providence, RI. The Soldiers set up mobile test sites and used them for the first time to test residents. Soldiers and Airmen of the Rhode Island National Guard have been activated by Rhode Island Governor Gina Raimondo to support this historic fight against a COVID-19. (Air National Guard Photo by Staff Sgt. John Vannucci)
context_page_description: The COVID-19 pandemic in the U.S. state of Rhode Island is part of an ongoing worldwide viral pandemic of coronavirus disease 2019, a novel infectious disease caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2. As of August 26, 2020, there has been 21,454 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Rhode Island, 80 of which are currently hospitalized, and 1,041 reported deaths.
context_section_description: May 2:
  Providence reopens nine of its city parks, including Roger Williams Park, for running, walking and bicycling. 23 city streets are closed to through traffic, except for emergency vehicles and residents of those streets, to allow for socially distanced exercise.
  As of this date, there are no cases of COVID-19 on Block Island; The only case confirmed on the island was a seasonal resident who was evacuated from the island and did not return upon recovery.
  May 4:
  The Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management lifts emergency restrictions on trout fishing that had been put in place with the season opened on April 6.
  Providence re-opens three streets that had been closed to through traffic on May 2.
  The Wickford Art Festival cancels its 2020 edition, which was scheduled to be held in Wickford in July.
  May 6:
  Rhode Island surpasses 10,000 confirmed cases of coronavirus; As of May 6, there are 10,205 cases and 370 deaths in the state attributed to coronavirus.
  A state executive order goes into effect requiring all Rhode Island residents to wear a face covering in public places.
  May 8:
  The state stay-at-home order expires.
  Rhode Island Department of Health director Nicole Alexander-Scott reports that of the 7,129 coronavirus cases reported as of April 25, 6,800 had survived, bringing the state recovery rate to 95.39%.
  May 9:
  The state stay-at-home order is lifted after expiring the previous day.  On May 7, Governor Raimondo stated she decided not to renew the order because of increased state-wide testing, declining hospitalizations and a sufficient supply of personal protective equipment.
  The first phase of the state re-opening plan is enacted after the stay-at-home order expires. Following the expiration of the stay at home order non-essential retailers will be allowed to open with restrictions and hospitals will be allowed to resume required non-emergency medical procedures.
  Fifteen state parks are reopened.
  May 11:
  Governor Raimondo's daily media briefings are moved from the state house to the Veterans Memorial Auditorium to allow news reporters to attend in person for the first time since March.
  A second protest against the state coronavirus restrictions, hosted by local radio personality John DePetro and attended by about 40 protesters, is held outside the state house.
  May 13:
  The Rhode Island Supreme Court resumes hearing cases remotely.
  Yawgoog Scout Reservation in Rockville cancels all summer Boy Scout camps.
  May 14: Governor Raimondo announces libraries will be allowed to reopen their buildings for limited browsing in the second phase of the state plan.
  May 15:
  The International Tennis Hall of Fame in Newport cancels its 2020 induction ceremony, which was due to take place in July; 2020 inductees will instead be recognized during the 2021 ceremony.
  The Rustic Drive-In in North Smithfield and Misquamicut Drive-in in Westerly are the first movie theaters in the state to re-open for regular film screenings, with social distancing in place.
  Governor Raimondo announces that the second phase of the state reopening plan would be enacted in June; It had been previously indicated that the phases would be in two-week increments. Raimondo also unveils the four metrics that will be taken into consideration by the state to move between phases: hospital capacity, new hospitalizations, the rate of spread, and the double rate of hospitalizations.
  May 16: Rhode Island National Guard ends its checkpoint operations at T.F. Green International Airport and the Rhode Island border, which had begun in March and notified out-of-state visitors to Rhode Island of the 14-day quarantine rule.
  May 17: The University of Rhode Island holds a virtual recognition ceremony for the undergraduate class of 2020 featuring an address from Governor Raimondo. An event for graduate students was held on May 16.
  May 18:
  Restaurants are allowed to resume outdoor dining as of this date.
  Rhode Island surpasses 500 recorded deaths related to COVID-19. As of May 18, there have been 506 deaths and 12,795 positive cases recorded in the state.
  Governor Raim
caption: Drive through testing site at Rhode Island College in North Providence
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