Dear Block Island Community, The Town of New Shoreham updated the Emergency Ordinance on March 23 to protect the public health, safety and welfare of the community from COVID-19. A shelter in place order went into effect Tuesday, March 24 at 5 p.m. The Emergency Declaration is in effect through April 15 and enforces the guidance from Governor […]
Town Hall and all town departments: Closed but offering minimal services. Call (401) 466-3200 for more information. Island Free Library: Call (401) 466-3233 for available services. Post Office: Open, but call Postmaster Becky Brown if you do not feel comfortable going into the building. (401) 466-7733. The New Shoreham Safety Complex: Dispatch
As physical distancing commences on the island, the Block Island School recently closed its doors to follow safety procedures being implemented during the COVID-19 pandemic. To continue teaching students, the Block Island School began the week of March 23 with school-wide online learning for the first time in its history. To gain insight into how
In a dramatic reversal of Block Island’s usual policy of welcoming everyone from everywhere, the Town Council this past week approved an emergency ordinance that essentially shuts down the island for all non-essential activities, cancels reservations at hotels, inns and online rentals, and recommends that all residents shelter in place for 14 days. The order
With travel from the mainland to the island expected to decrease due to restrictions mandated by an emergency ordinance the Town Council enacted on March 23, and to address the concerns of Dr. Mark Clark about keeping the island as isolated as possible, Interstate Navigation will reduce the number of boat trips beginning Saturday, March
The following message was submitted to The Block Island Times on Wednesday, March 25: In our ongoing effort to work with local officials regarding Block Island’s Shelter-In-Place Order that includes travel restrictions, we will be adjusting our ferry schedule to best accommodate essential travel needs. Effective Saturday, March 28, we are reducing our scheduled trips
Ferry schedule to be reduced – one boat each way on most days Read More »
At her daily news conference today, March 24, Gov. Gina Raimondo was asked about what she would say to people who are coming from New York City to return to their summer homes in coastal communities, such as Newport, Westerly, and Block Island. Here is her response: “I’m hearing this question a lot from Westerly,
Gov. Raimondo asks domestic travelers to coastal towns to ‘be responsible’ Read More »
The Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management submitted the following announcement to The Block Island Times: With new reports of damaged pump stations and overwhelmed screening facilities in Rhode Island wastewater collection and treatment systems, the Department of Environmental Management (DEM) is once again urging all Rhode Islanders to refrain from flushing disinfectant wipes – including
Lamb’s Package Delivery Service will continue to provide lifeline service as the Covid-19 virus progresses. We ask that all return/outgoing packages be left at the ferry dock in the Yellow bin #2 bin (pictured). Please do not come to the ferry looking for your packages or to ask questions as we want to limit face
UPDATE: (Monday, March 23): The Town Council amended its emergency ordinance at a meeting this morning that will recommend island residents to shelter in place for 14 days, impact building permits, housing rentals, travel, and other items. Through these provisions the council is urging that all non-essential travel to the island cease. The council will
Council to everyone here or who travels here: Stay home Read More »