RI health officials may ‘re-visit’ outdoor mask mandate in June, July

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WLNE) – Dr. Ashish Jha appeared on national TV and then posted on social media predicting a “likely” end to the outside mask mandate in upcoming weeks.

But, Rhode Island health officials say that could take until this summer.

“If people get vaccinated, then we will be able to relax some things, like the mask mandate,” Dr. Philip Chan with the state’s department of health said. “I would envision if things get better and we’re in a good place by June, July then, yes, we’d probably be able to re-visit this.”

Dr. Chan told ABC6 that state health officials are having those conversations every day, evaluating current rules, including the outdoor mask mandate in the state.