RHODE ISLAND (WLNE) – Governor Gina Raimondo unveiled new quarantine options for frontline workers and the homeless at Wednesday’s press briefing.
The state has partnered with the Wyndham hotel in Warwick to house homeless Rhode Islanders who test positive for the coronavirus and need a place to quarantine or isolate.
“That is for people who need a safe place to quarantine because they don’t have reliable housing,” said Rose Jones, the Director of the Office of Healthy Aging.
The Wyndham has set aside 200 beds for those who need a safe place to isolate. About 50 people are already using the service, according to Governor Raimondo.
“The coronavirus is tough on everybody, unfortunately it’s toughest on those who are already vulnerable,” said Raimondo.
The National Guard will be assisting the hotel to check-in the COVID-19 positive patients and provide them with meals.
The governor also announced new housing options for frontline workers who don’t want to go home and potentially expose the virus to their loved ones.
“Maybe they have a vulnerable family member at home and they want to have a safe place to be and not risk exposure to their family member. RIHavens can assist with that,” said Jones. “The rates are as low as $25 a night.”
