Travel ban extended until midnight in Rhode Island

Providence, RI (WLNE) – A travel ban will remain in effect in Rhode Island until midnight because of the winter storm. The ban went into effect at 8am Saturday and had originally been set to expire at 8pm. However, Governor Dan McKee announced at an afternoon press conference that the ban will extend until midnight.

Governor McKee issued the ban as part of an executive order declaring a disaster emergency. The ban does include exceptions for essential workers and travel for emergencies. Governor McKee said the extension is necessary to keep everyone safe and to allow the roads to be plowed.

Here is the section of the executive order that spells out the exceptions:

This restriction shall not apply to the following:
a) public safety vehicles and public safety workers, including contract personnel;
b) public works vehicles and public works workers, including contract personnel;
c) government officials conducting official business;
d) utility company vehicles and utility workers;
e) healthcare and pharmacy workers who must travel to and from work in order to provide essential health services;
f) patients and their caregivers traveling for essential medical procedures;
g) news media;
h) homeless or other shelter workers;
i) travel necessary to maintain and deliver critical private sector services such as energy, fuel supplies and deliveries, financial systems and the delivery of critical commodities;
j) travel to support business operations that provide critical services to the public, including airports, gasoline stations, grocery stores and hardware stores; and
k) holders of corporate emergency access system credentials.
Travel permitted under these exceptions does not include travel over the
Newport or Jamestown bridge when either or both bridges are closed.