Executive Order 2020-021: Supplemental Declaration of Municipal Emergency - Close Housing Authority

Supplemental Declaration of Municipal Emergency
Executive Order 2020-021
April 23, 2020

WHEREAS, on March 9, 2020, the State of Rhode Island Governor, Gina M. Raimondo, issued Executive Order 20-02 declaring a state of emergency due to the outbreak of COVID-19; and 

WHEREAS, on March 15, 2020, Mayor Roberto L. DaSilva, issued Executive Order 2020-004 declaring a state of municipal emergency due to the outbreak of COVID-19; and 

WHEREAS, the East Providence City Council ratified the Declaration of Municipal Emergency at a meeting on March 17, 2020 and authorized its extension through April 17, 2020; and

WHEREAS, the number of persons testing positive for COVID-19 in East Providence has continued to rise; and

WHEREAS, these positive cases are more likely to occur amongst residents who are elderly, have underlying medical conditions, or live in housing facilities under the care and control of the East Providence Housing Authority or privately owned nursing homes; and

WHEREAS, there are now confirmed cases of COVID-19 within the East Providence Housing Authority which poses a severe risk to the health and safety of its residents.   

NOW, THEREFORE, I, Mayor Roberto L. DaSilva, by virtue of the authority vested in me as the Mayor of the City of East Providence, pursuant to the Rhode Island General Laws and the Home Rule Charter of the City of East Providence, do hereby order and direct the following: 

1. All common areas within the facilities of the East Providence Housing Authority shall be closed, excepting those areas specified in directive three (3) of this Executive Order. All visitors are prohibited from entering into common areas as well as the residential portions of the East Providence Housing Authority, except for the purpose of delivering essential goods and services that are necessary for the daily life of the residents of said facilities such as food, medicine, medical assistance, and medical services. Deliveries shall be made at a designated drop-off point determined by the Executive Director of the East Providence Housing Authority or a designee.
2. Any individual who is not a legal resident of a facility under the authority of the East Providence Housing Authority and is found to be residing in such a facility or who enters into the common areas of such facility after having been directed to leave the premises shall be considered to have committed a willful trespass pursuant to R.I.G.L. §11-44-26.
3. All common areas shall be closed with the exception of any elevator, stairway, areas for entry and exit, areas designated for laundry, areas designated for picking up food, medical supplies or other essentials. Any staff or resident in these areas shall practice social distancing and shall not have a gathering of more than three (3) individuals.
4. The East Providence Housing Authority shall be granted the authority to monitor, regulate and enforce the directives of this Executive Order with respect to its facilities.
5. All privately owned housing facilities within the City of East Providence are strongly encouraged to follow the same guidelines written in this Executive Order. 

This Order shall take effect immediately and remain in full force and effect through May 8, 2020, unless extended, by and with the consent of the City Council.