On April 23, 2020, during her press conference, Governor Gina M. Raimondo made the decision to keep RI Schools closed for the remainder of the school year. She noted that the "data does not support" the decision to re-open the schools. To view WPRI's coverage on the press conference please click the link below. Raimondo March 23, 2020 Press Conference coverage

The following information was retrieved from the IRS website. The IRS is committed to helping you get your Economic Impact Payment as soon as possible. The payments, also referred to by some as stimulus payments, are automatic for most taxpayers. No further action is needed by taxpayers who filed tax returns in 2018 and 2019 and most seniors and retirees. See if you are eligible for an Economic Impact Payment . If you are eligible and you filed a tax return in 2018 or 2019, please click the following link to track your payment. Filers : Get Your Payment If you are eligible and did not file a tax return in 2018 or 2019, please click the following link to create a profile and fill out the following forms to recieve a stimulus payment. Non-Filers : Enter Your Payment Info Here Get more information about Economic Impact Payments Visit our Economic Impact Payments Information Center to answer your questions about eligibility, payment amounts, what to expect, when to expect it and more. Also, visit the FDIC website for information on where to find a bank that can open an account online and how to choose the right account for you.

The RI Department of Labor and Training (DLT) wants to ensure that everyone stays up to date on how to receive funds if you are unemployed or have shorter hours due to Covid-19. Please click the following link to review the DLT factsheet: http://www.dlt.ri.gov/pdfs/COVID-19%20Workplace%20Fact%20Sheet%204.8.2020.pdf

The following is information regarding COVID-19 specifically for Rhode Islanders. For the most up-to-date information, please visit www.health.ri.gov/covid . Latest Guidance and Information: Stay At Home: The Governor has issued a stay-at-home order until April 13. This means that all Rhode Islanders should stay home unless getting food, medicine, gas, or going to work. Gatherings: Starting immediately, all gatherings of more than 5 people are banned. Individuals should be interacting with the same people every day to minimize the risk of spread. This order does not apply to healthcare workers in a workplace setting, public transportation or office buildings. However, people must practice social distancing at all times. Travelers: Starting immediately, any person coming to Rhode Island by any mode of transportation after visiting another state for a non-work-related purpose must self-quarantine for 14 days. This restriction will not apply to public health, public safety or healthcare workers. Commuters: Those who are able to work from home should do so, and anyone commuting in and out of the state for work should remain in their home when not at work. Businesses: Starting Monday, all non-critical retail businesses must shut down their stores. This includes clothing stores and gift shops. A full list of businesses that must close their in-person operations can be found here . This does not impact restaurants or bars, which are still allowed to open for takeout or delivery only. Food Establishments: Through April 13th, there will be no on-site food consumption for restaurants, bars, coffee shops, or other food establishments in Rhode Island. (Establishments with a food license can continue to conduct pick-up, drive-thru and delivery only.) All recreation and entertainment facilities as well as close-contact businesses are closed. This includes theaters, cinemas, sporting events, bowling alleys, gyms, fitness centers, hair salons and barbershops, nail salons, spas and tattoo parlors. Health Insurance Information A special enrollment period for Rhode Islanders without health insurance is now available through April 15th, 2020 to qualified individuals who are uninsured. Visit HealthSourceRI.com to enroll, or call customer support or use our web chat function between 8:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. Monday – Friday at 1-855-840-4774. For anyone who is concerned that they need to be tested for corona virus -- or anyone who is seeking care because of corona virus exposure -- coverage will start retroactively. Health plans issued in Rhode Island are now providing temporary new benefits during the COVID-19 State of Emergency. MORE School and Child Care Information The next two weeks - from Monday, March 23rd through Friday April 3 - will be distance learning weeks for all public schools in Rhode Island. During this time, school buildings will be closed to students, but school will be taking place remotely in homes across the state. After two weeks, the Governor and Dr. Alexander-Scott will reevaluate the situation and make a new determination. Due to the closure of schools, free "Grab and Go" meals are available for children throughout Rhode Island. MORE Regulations for child care facilities: The Governor also announced that DHS has promulgated emergency regulations for Rhode Island child care providers that choose to remain open during this crisis. To the extent possible, child care facilities must operate under new mandatory conditions . Rhode Island has partnered with Care.com to increase child care access for front line workers responding to the COVID-19 crisis. In addition to providing 90 days of free, premium access to their website, Care.com has created portals specifically for front line workers. Rhode Island residents interested in becoming caregivers can visit www.care.com/rigive to register. Potential caregivers are subject to Care.com’s extensive background and safety checks. While child care services are not typically free of charge, the Rhode Island portal gives residents the ability to waive their fees and volunteer as caregivers, providing additional support to front line workers. Healthcare Facilities, Nursing Homes, Assisted Living Nursing home administrators have been directed to not allow any visitors (unless they are essential to the care of a resident). Additionally, nursing home administrators have been directed to continue actively screening staff, vendors, and all other people who enter facilities for illness and COVID-19 risks (for example, travel history or exposure to someone under investigation for COVID-19). Check hospital websites for visitation restrictions. Employment Related Issues The Rhode Island Department of Labor and Training has set up a COVID-19 Assistance Line and email address (401-462-2020; dlt.covid19@dlt.ri.gov). They are intended to provide support to people regarding COVID-19 and employment issues. The phone line is staffed Monday to Friday during business hours. Fact Sheet Commerce/Business Information Retail and grocery stores have specific guidelines for social distancing, sanitation, and crowd prevention that are currently in effective. All businesses have been asked to comply with social distancing guidelines and to maintain a high level of sanitation and employee hygiene in line with CDC guidance. MORE Small business support: Rhode Island small business owners can now receive 45 minutes of free tech support via teleconference or over the phone. This service has been coordinated by Rhode Island Commerce and is being staffed by volunteers from some of Rhode Island’s leading tech companies. Visit Commerce’s website or call 521-HELP to get started. Information on SBA Disaster Loan Assistance - The U.S. Small Business Administration has approved Governor Raimondo's application for assistance and will offer low-interest federal disaster loans for working capital to Rhode Island small businesses suffering substantial economic injury as a result of the Corona virus (COVID-19). MORE Microsoft Free Offerings - For businesses, municipalities, K-12 and other entities, Microsoft is providing six months of Office 365 tools for free to enable remote collaboration, file sharing and video conferencing. They’re also offering free assistance to set up these tools. MORE State Parks Residents are urged to follow new guidelines for the safe use of parks and open spaces during the COVID-19 public health crisis. MORE People with general questions about COVID-19 can call 401-222-8022.

With all of the information on the internet, it is important that we know which sites have credible information. When you want an update regarding Covid-19 please review one of the sites in the above picture. For local Covid-19 information in Rhode Island, please visit w ww.health.ri.gov .

Members as we prepare for Palm Sunday & Holy week we are encouraging you to pickup your Holy week Package which will include your palms, two communion cups w/ wafers and special stations of the cross hand out. Please come on the following dates during the times specified: Thursday, April 2nd w/ Deacon Yohana Rollins from 3p-5p Friday, April 3rd w/ Deacon Michael Taylor from 3p-5p Saturday, April 4th w/ Deacon LeRoy Hie from 10a-12p. If you have questions or concerns, please feel free to email us at hello@gtomi.org