RI Requiring Masks In All State Buildings

PROVIDENCE, RI — Rhode Island is now requiring masks for all employees and visitors entering state buildings, Gov. Dan McKee's administration said Thursday.

The mandate went into effect Friday and applies to everyone, regardless of vaccination status, according to a memo James Thorsen, the director of the Department of Administration, sent to state employees. Thorsen said employees with a health condition that won't let them wear a mask should call the state's human resources office.

"The masking requirement will remain in effect until the state experiences a marked and sustained decline in the transmission of COVID-19," Thorsen wrote in the email.

The return of masks at state buildings coincided with McKee signing a new executive order, which extends the pandemic state of emergency, as well as state quarantine and isolation requirements, until Sept. 4.

The McKee administration's new mask-wearing directive at state facilities came amid clashes between McKee, members of the legislature and political rivals like Secretary of State Nellie Gorbea, who is running against McKee for governor in the 2022 Democratic primary. Gorbea called for McKee to mandate masks in schools this fall.

"One of the most important roles of government is to protect people, and leadership means making tough decisions," Gorbea said in a statement. "In failing to call for a mask mandate in our schools, Governor McKee is putting our kids and educators at risk."

McKee at a news conference Tuesday said state leaders are keeping their focus on vaccinations and does not support a mask mandate in schools at this time. He said local school districts should be allowed to make their own decisions regarding masks.