Some R.I. towns eye reopening beaches

Rhode Island communities are making plans to open local beaches shuttered by the coronavirus pandemic as Memorial Day weekend approaches.

Newport’s City Manager Joseph Nicholson said this week that the city hopes to open Easton’s Beach around June 4.

He told the City Council during his Tuesday briefing that parking capacity would be capped at 33% through June and no bathrooms or showers will be available at first.

The Middletown Town Council also voted this week to reopen Third Beach on Saturday to residents only.

Gov. Gina Raimondo announced earlier this week that East Matunuck Beach in South Kingstown and Scarborough Beach in Narragansett will be the lone two state-run beaches allowed to open on Memorial Day, the traditional start of the summer season.

On Wednesday, she stressed that the openings are largely symbolic: the beaches will offer free but limited parking, and lifeguards, concessions and other facilities won’t be available.

The remaining state beaches are expected to open later, and social gatherings are still limited to no more than five people, she stressed.

“This weekend is not a weekend to throw a big party,” Raimondo said. “It is not a weekend to have a big barbecue.”

“The day is about remembering the fallen Americans who have served in defense of our country,” the Democrat added, noting that a solemn ceremony planned at the Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Exeter will be a largely virtual affair.

Religious services

Churches and other houses of worship will be limited to 25% of their capacity when they reopen on the weekend of May 30, Raimondo said Wednesday.

Neighboring Massachusetts, which is among the hardest hit states in the nation, allowed in-person religious services to resume Monday, with capacity limited to 40%.

The Roman Catholic Diocese of Providence also released its guidelines for reopening local parishes on Wednesday.