Rhode Island Implements Stricter Guidelines for Retail and Grocers

Rhode Island has asked all businesses to comply with social distancing guidelines and to maintain a high level of sanitation and employee hygiene in line with CDC guidance.

The Guidelines:

Social Distancing:

o   Allow no more than 20 percent of stated fire capacity in the store at a time (this reduced capacity is approximately 150 square feet per person). Staff is required to count the number of customers entering and exiting the store and to enforce limits.

o   Clearly mark 6’ spacing in lines and other high-traffic areas and consider ways to encourage spacing if there are lines outside.

o   Designate employees to monitor social distancing and assist customers.

o   Maximize space between customers and employees at checkout.

Cleaning and Sanitation:

o   Designate employee(s) to ensure the cleaning guidelines set by CDC are followed.

o   Discontinue self-serve foods and product sampling

Limit Time In-Store, Especially for Vulnerable Populations:

o   Exclusive hours for those in high-risk populations including seniors, where stores will limit their capacity to 10 percent of fire capacity at any time (figures to 300 square feet per person)

o   For larger grocery stores and retailers (those with greater than 25,000 square feet), they are encouraged to offer pickup and delivery options.